The Oyo State Government has inaugurated a twenty-member State Task Group on Sanitation (STGS) to end open defecation and ensure equitable water, sanitation, and hygiene by 2028.
Oyo State Deputy Governor, Barr. Bayo Lawal, who inaugurated the group in collaboration with the UNICEF Lagos Field Office on Thursday at the House of Chiefs, Secretariat, Ibadan, stated that open defecation and access to equitable water, sanitation, and hygiene remain challenges in many institutions and public places, including markets, in the state.
Lawal, represented by the Commissioner for Information and Orientation, Prince Dotun Oyelade, said these are precarious times with environmental challenges such as flooding and diseases, making open defecation a challenge that the body must address.
“There is very little time left. We’re in a very precarious period with flooding, diseases of various kinds, and so forth. It has been very deliberate that the composition of the task group is all-inclusive.”
“Yes, many institutions still lack basic sanitation facilities. Many schools and public places, including markets, are not exempt. These are some of the issues the group should begin to address. This is supported by public awareness and, of course, with the necessary efforts to procure facilities.”
“We should also think outside the box. That is why suggestions like public-private partnerships (PPP) are not out of place.”
In his welcome address, the Chairman of the Oyo State Rural Water Supply and Sanitation Agency (OYORUWASSA), Alh. Babalola Afobaje, said that the inauguration of the task group will help improve sanitation and hygiene activities in Oyo State.
The Chairman highlighted that previously, Oyo State ranked among the worst for the prevalence of open defecation, according to a 2021 survey conducted by the Water Sanitation and Hygiene National Outcome Routine Mapping (WASHNORM).
Also, the Chairman of the Oyo State House of Assembly Committee on Environment, Ecology, and Water Resources, Hon. Olorunpoto Rahaman Cephas, reaffirmed the commitment of the Oyo State House of Assembly to support the mandate through enabling legislation, effective oversight, and advocacy.
“Our Committee is ready to work closely with RUWASSA, relevant MDAs, local government authorities, traditional institutions, and development partners to ensure this vision becomes a reality for our people,” he pointed out.
The United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) WASH Consultant, Mr. Monday Johnson, briefed the gathering that the group comprises government delegates and community members who are responsible for conducting complementary, collaborative, and oversight duties on the state’s sanitation programmes and projects.
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“I believe the committee will rise to its responsibility to address the issues of sanitation and hygiene in the state and help take Oyo State out of the low-level statistics we have seen. I am confident that Oyo State has the capacity to turn things around in a very short time and show that it can make significant progress.”
“UNICEF is supporting Oyo State in achieving the Oyo State Open Defecation Free (ODF) roadmap. Open defecation is one of the indicators being monitored for the 2030 SDG deadline. No tangible results across the SDGs can be achieved without sanitation, hygiene, and water supply being at the forefront.”
The members of the task group, to be led by Oyo State Head of Service, Professor Nike Adeyemo, include Mr. Omoyele Omofoyewa, Olalekan Isaac, Oyedele Oladayo, Rafiu Baasit, and Mr. Abayomi Yusuff.
Other members are Mrs. Aileru-Foster, Mr. Olamide Adeniji, Mr. Femi Amusan, Mr. Ramoni Afeez, Mr. Adedeji Sunday, Mrs. Adewole Deola, Mrs. Oloyede Abimbola, Mrs. Mustapha Haulat, Mrs. Oyewole Bukola, Pastor Marcus, Dr. Adio Olusegun, and Alhaja Aliu Jemilat.
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