World Toilet Day: Group Campaigns against Open Defecation

In commemoration of the 2020 World Toilet Day, Harpic, Nigeria’s leading toilet cleaning brand from Reckitt Benckiser (RB), partnered the Lagos State Ministry of Environment and Water Resources to upgrade and refurbish 47 public toilet units for six communities in Lagos.

Speaking at the official commissioning of the toilets and the flag-off of the ‘Clean Lagos: Use the Toilet’ campaign in Lagos, Country Manager, RB Hygiene West Africa, Mr. Asif Hashimi reiterated Harpic’s commitment to changing the stories surrounding open defecation and toilet sanitation in Lagos, and Nigeria in general.

He added that the brand was interested in tackling the challenge of open defecation in Nigeria as a way of ensuring healthier and happier lives in Nigeria.

He said: “At the moment, Nigeria ranks first among countries practicing open defecation globally. This ‘stigma’ can only be removed if we all join hands to work towards this goal. Harpic’s purpose is to help Nigerians access hygienically clean toilets and also be an enabler for change in the fight for improved sanitation in Nigeria. “The Harpic toilet refurbishment project will inspire a big positive attitudinal change, which will impact the lives of the people and the environment. It is about taking action to tackle the global sanitation crisis and achieve Sustainable Development Goal six: water and sanitation for all by 2030.

“Harpic has been at the forefront in the fight against open defecation, donation and refurbishment of public toilets in Nigeria. Since 2018, Harpic has donated about 80 toilets and refurbished 10 public toilets in Lagos State alone”.

At the commissioning and flag-off ceremony which held immediately after a sensitisation walk around Ojota axis of Lagos to sensitise Lagosians on the need for proper toilet practices, the government commended Harpic for her continued support in building a hygienic and healthy environment in the state, stating that the donation of public toilets by Harpic is another step taken in the right direction.

Present at the commissioning were notable dignitaries from the Lagos State Government, heads of government agencies, key executives of RB and Harpic Brand Ambassador, Dr. Helen Paul.

The newly refurbished public toilets are located at Oshodi, Ojota, New Garage, Apapa, Costain, and Leventis in Victoria Island.