No Shit: Dass LG Attains Open Defecation Free Status

The Honourable Minister of Water Resources, Engr. Suleiman H. Adamu represented by the Permanent Secretary, Dr. Musa Ibrahim has congratulated the people of Dass LGA of Bauchi State on their attainment of Open Defecation Free (ODF) status.

In his keynote address on Monday, 5th March 2018, the Minister noted that Dass LGA is the first LGA in Northern Nigeria among those implementing Sanitation, Hygiene and Water in Nigeria (SHAWN), and second LGA in the country to achieve this feat.

He said ” I believe that with the high priority my Ministry has placed on Water, Sanitation and Hygiene (WASH ) and the support of our partners, we will move close to achieving ODF Nigeria by 2025, 5 years ahead of the SDG 2030”.

Acknowledging the challenges associated to the practice of open defecation in Nigeria, the Minister said “the Ministry developed the strategy document ‘making Nigeria Open Defecation free by 2025: A National Roadmap’, also known as ODF roadmap, which was launched last year and states were also supported to develop their State Specific Roadmaps”.

The Minister maintained that “the Ministry is providing sanitation and hygiene facilities in public places across the country with special consideration for the North East as part of the Ministry’s response to the emergency situation of the area”.

Earlier in his speech, the Governor of Bauchi State, Dr. Mohammed A. Abubakar represented by the Secretary to the State Government, Alh. Muhammad Nadada Umar expressed happiness on the efforts, doggedness and achievement of Dass LGA considering the glory it will bring to the state in terms of having virile and healthy population.

 Speaking further, the Governor stated that the Government of Bauchi state is aware that large percentage of their population do not have access to potable water and hygiene facilities but expressed his optimism that they will continue to work harder to reverse the trend.

In his goodwill message, the Head of UNICEF Field Office in Bauchi, Mr. Drissa Yeo said “…Dass LGA has been in the lead of all the LGAs implementing SHAWN project in Nigeria; recording notable achievement over the years. All its communities had been certified as Defecation Free (ODF) by the State Task Group on Sanitation (STGS) between 2012 and 2016; and finally validated by the National Task Group on Sanitation (NTGS) in 2017”.

While commending the good people of Dass LGA, he promised that UNICEF will continue to work with the government of Bauchi State, other Development Partners, NGOs and Communities to ensure the fulfillment of the rights of children and women in the state.

Oise Johnson

Deputy Director (Press and Public Relations Unit)

FMWR