WaterAid Nigeria has called on all levels of government to invest in safe, inclusive, and climate-resilient sanitation systems and facilities.
This appeal coincides with the commemoration of World Toilet Day 2024, themed “Toilets – A Place for Peace.”
The theme underscores the importance of protecting sanitation systems and ensuring access for everyone, particularly vulnerable groups such as people with disabilities, women, children, and those in humanitarian crises.
In a statement, WaterAid Nigeria highlighted the urgent need for action: “In Nigeria, more than half of the population currently lacks access to a decent toilet of their own, a critical gap that impedes health, dignity, and economic development. WaterAid has been working closely with the Nigerian government at both national and subnational levels to drive transformative change.”
The organisation added: “We have supported the development and modelling of sanitation facilities and operation and maintenance structures that are inclusive, climate-resilient, safe, and accessible to all. This is to ensure sustainability while promoting these solutions to be effectively scaled across the country.”
As part of its efforts, WaterAid Nigeria collaborated with the Bauchi State Government and community stakeholders to construct user-friendly sanitation facilities.
With support from the “Who Gives a Crap” initiative, the organisation designed six sanitation models tailored to user feedback. These facilities accommodate the needs of diverse groups, including persons with disabilities, mothers with young children, and youth in high-traffic areas such as markets and motor parks.
WaterAid Nigeria noted: “Endorsed by the Bauchi State Government, these models will inform the construction of all future public toilets in the state, ensuring accessibility and safety.
The model toilet facility being commissioned today as part of the activities to commemorate World Toilet Day 2024 will serve as a reference model for replication and upscaling by the government, the private sector, and other partners in the state.”
Evelyn Mere, Country Director of WaterAid Nigeria, stressed the importance of addressing the growing challenges facing sanitation systems: “Sanitation systems and facilities are facing threats from conflict, climate change impacts, disasters, and neglect with negative effects on public health, safety, and well-being.
Stakeholders must therefore invest in research, innovations, and technology that will result in systems, designs, construction materials, and infrastructure that are resilient to shocks and guarantee sustainable service.”
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