Defecation-free status: NOA hails 3 LGAs in Benue

The National Orientation Agency (NOA) in Benue State has applauded three local government areas of the state for attaining Open Defecation Free (ODF) status.

State Director of NOA, Chief Richard Abimiku Audu, made the commendation at a one-day capacity building workshop for 23 Community Orientation and Mobilisation Officers (COMOs) on Open Defecation Free (ODF) Nigeria.

“Permit me to commend the Benue State Government for the achievement of open defecation-free in Konshisha, Oju and Logo LGAs, having met the requirements stated in the ODF protocol for hygiene promotion out of the 23 LGAs in the state.

“This notwithstanding, a lot more has to be done in this regard as total success is still a far cry from being achieved.

Audu said the workshop was to enable the Agency spread information that will spur behavioral change of the public in an effort to bridge the gap between poor sanitation and the proper use of toilets.

He hoped that all the 23 LGAs of Benue State would have achieved open defecation-free Benue by the year 2025.

The Minister of Water Resources, Engr Suleiman Adamu, said the workshop was meant to kick start the National Sensitisation Campaign Programme to be jointly implemented by the ministry and NOA in pursuance of the drive to end the practice of open defecation in Nigeria.

Adamu, who was represented by, Juliet Iordye, said the campaign was initiated to address the unfortunate position Nigeria found herself, as the country with the highest number of persons defecating in the open globally.

“According to the 2019 Water, Sanitation and Hygiene National Outcome Routine Mapping ( WASHNORM) report, about a quarter of the population, estimated at 46 million people are involved in this act.’’