Nigeria Lags Behind Other Nations In Proper Hygiene, Says Minister
MINISTER of Water Resources, Engr. Sulaimon Adamu has said it is worrisome that about 47 million citizens are without direct access to toilets, which shows Nigeria lags behind in the area of proper hygiene.
He also revealed that, according to the statistics by World Health Organisation (WHO), over 100,000 children die every year through poor sanitation and unsafe water caused by diarrhoea.
In commemoration of this year’s World Toilet Day (WTD) and as part of efforts towards achieving the national target of ending open defecation in the country by 2025, Harpic has partnered the Federal Government for the national launch and flag-off of the ‘Clean Nigeria: Use the Toilet’ campaign.
“In Nigeria, an estimated 47 million people still practise open defecation and WTD with the theme, ‘Toilets for All’, leaving no one behind, is in line with current global efforts towards achieving universal access to sanitation, whereby toilets are available for all. This is to help reduce open defecation, whilst promoting better hygiene practices in the prevention of diseases, such as diarrhoea and toilet infections, especially in women and children.”
At the briefing, held immediately after a sensitisation walk around Abuja to sensitise the residents on the need for proper toilet practices, the minister, while appreciating stakeholders for their support, said the campaign was aimed at advancing the populace towards a new culture of safe defecation in the country.
Speaking on the role and support of the private sector towards ending open defecation in Nigeria, General Manager, RB Hygiene and Home West Africa, Asif Hashimi relayed that the provision of needed basic amenities is crucial in supporting the Federal Government’s plans towards ending open defecation.