FG panics as Nigeria ranks 2nd in open defecation

BOTHERED with the ranking of Nigeria as second in prevalence of open defecation, the Federal Government (FG) has expressed fear that the country may lead the chart if drastic interventions were not taken.

This was even as it tasked all states and local governments to prioritize the National Action Plan on WASH and open defecation roadmap.

The Minister of Water Resources, Engr. Suleiman Adamu, made the call in Abuja on Monday during a workshop on the implementation of the National Action Plan for the revitalisation of the WASH sector and launching of the National Strategy for the Implementation of Village Level Operation and Maintenance (VLOM).

“As you are aware, we are beginning to put in place interventions to end open defecation in our country as our country is set to become the leading country with the highest number of people defecating in the open by October this year when India would have exited this position.

“Our actions, going forward must be immediate and deliberate. I hereby urge all of us to give our focused attention, contribution and support to the development of the implementation plan of the National Action Plan over the next two days. I look forward to your recommendations on the proposed National WASH Fund,” he said.

While stressing the need for VLOM of rural water supply facilities, the Minister said this was prepared as part of the sustainability efforts on access to adequately and equitable supply of safe drinking water in rural areas.

He said the strategy will not only enable the country to put ownership of the facilities in the hands of the communities but have an institutional arrangement for their adequate operation and maintenance.

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“As sector practitioners and related sector experts we must take a critical look at the five pillars of the National Action Plan, namely: governance, sustainability, sanitation, funding and financing, and monitoring and evaluation; and provide clarity to Nigerians on what will do to implement these pillars during the Emergency phase.

He also expressed the FG’s commitment to vigorously pursue the Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 6 holistically to ensure that no one is left behind.

Earlier, the Permanent Secretary, Mrs Comfort Ekaro said participant at the workshop are expected to redefine the period of the emergency and firm up priority actions to be implemented, provide clear guidance and message for the mobilisation of the citizenry and the political and traditional leadership on its implementation.

She urged them to lay a good foundation for the implementation of the action plan beyond the emergency period and explore and recommend innovative funding and financing strategies for the implementation of the action plan.