The Minister of Water Resources Engr. Suleiman Adamu has called for improved and concerted efforts from stakeholders to ensure Nigeria attains the Federal Government’s National Roadmap policy towards eliminating Open Defecation practices across the country by 2025.
Engr. Adamu made the call in his speech at Boki local government area in Cross River State during the occasion to mark the presentation of a certificate to formally recognize Boki local government area as one of the 14 local government areas in the country to attain the status of Open Defecation Free (ODF) zone.
Represented by a Deputy Director in the Ministry, Engr. Emmanuel Eze, the minister commended the entire people of Boki local government area and by extension Cross River State for the landmark achievement; being the sixth local government in the state, declared ODF zone.
He noted that Cross River State has the highest number of ODF local government in the country bearing in mind that only 14 out of 774 local government areas in the country have attained the ODF status.
He explained that the achievement in the state was through numerous intervention programmes which are disaggregated as follows, “Obanliku and Bekwarra LGAs under Geneva-based GSF of WSSCC-RUSHPIN programme ; Ikom and Yala LGAs under British UKAid-CHISPIN programme ; Yakurr and Boki under European Union/UNICEF-WSSSRP II.
He commended the European Union for providing the grant through UNICEF for the implementation of the Water Supply and Sanitation Sector Reform Programme (WSSSRP) II under which the enviable feat in Boki was attained.
Adding, “I sincerely hope that the Cross River State Government will see investment in WASH (Water Sanitation and Hygiene) as a most cost-effective way to the wellbeing of its populace and demonstrate commitment to the sector by contributing its counterpart fund for the implementation of sanitation activities in the state, more so, ensure that more people enjoy the benefits thereof.”
UNICEF representative at the event, Dr. Ibrahim Konte used the occasion to thank the relevant agencies that were involved in the campaign to make Boki LGA an ODF zone, pointing out that statistics available show that Nigeria ranks very high among countries practicing open defecation, with more than two thirds of the entire population lacking certified access to basic sanitation facilities.
Dr. Konte further drew attention to the imminent damage associated with the unhygienic environment, stating that emergency situations can easily be recorded and as such, efforts would be geared toward the provision of safe sources of potable water to avoid relapse to the disease-prone environment.
Madam Gloria Monn, a community leader from Boje community in Boki, while commending EU/UNICEF for such care and concern to the people, appealed to the state government to complement the effort by providing toilet facilities in market places, motor parks and even along the major highways for motorists and commuters.
According to her, the hygiene curriculum should be re-introduced in primary schools as a way of ensuring that our children imbibe the culture of a safe and clean environment. Right from infancy.
The Paramount Ruler of Boki LGA His Majesty Otu Fredaline Enka Akandu enumerated the benefits of the campaign and acknowledged the fact that there is a serious reduction in the rate of malaria and fever-related sickness in his area.
He commended all the agencies who were involved in the process of making his domain, an ODF zone.
