Open Defecation: Minister Urges  Governors to Domesticate Executive Order 009

Open Defecation: Minister Urges  Governors to Domesticate Executive Order 009

The Honourable Minister of Water Resources, Engr. Suleiman H. Adamu FNSE, FAEng, has encouraged all States of the Federation to domesticate the Executive Order 009 recently signed by President Muhammadu Buhari to end Open Defecation in Nigeria by 2025.

Engr. Adamu gave the encouragement on Thursday 16^th July, 2020 in Abuja when he virtually met with the 36 States and F.C.T Coordinators of the ‘Clean Nigeria: Use the Toilet’ Campaign.

In his speech, the Honourable Minister urged the State Coordinators to work fast in order to meet National Action Plan on Water, Sanitation and Hygiene (WASH), achieve the Sustainable Development Goal 6, End Open Defecation before the target year of 2025, and to participate in the Covid – 19 Emergency Response.

The ‘Clean Nigeria: Use the Toilet’ Campaign is a National Programme aimed at Ending Open Defecation in Nigeria by 2025. It was approved by the Federal Executive Council (FEC) on 8^th May, 2019. President Muhammadu Buhari GCFR represented by the Vice President, Professor Yemi Osinbajo launched the National Campaign to End Open Defecation on 19^th November, 2019.

Some Coordinators from different States made presentations on the milestone achievements and challenges in the course of their work.

The Cross River State Coordinator, Elder Eyo Effiong said his State is currently updating WASH Information Infrastructural Baseline, noting that adequate measures are being taken against Covid -19 pandemic. He added that six Local Government Areas (LGAs) in his State have attained Open Defecation Free (ODF) status.

Bauchi State Coordinator, Sabo Adamu told the meeting that jingles have been developed and aired throughout the State to sensitize the populace against the dangers and prevention of Covid -19 pandemic. He explained that various Water Schemes have been rehabilitated while their Open Defecation Free Roadmap was developed in 2019.

Akwa Ibom State Coordinator Idongesit Sunday Ido said that his State Government has provided Sanitation Facilities in the Public Places to combat Covid -19 pandemic. The State Government has also selected Desk Officers from all the LGAs as Representatives of the Clean Nigeria Campaign.

Earlier in his welcome address, Director of Water Quality Control and Sanitation FMWR, Mr. Emmanuel Awe said the meeting will afford the Honourable Minister a good opportunity to get firsthand information from the State Delegates on their activities at making their respective States achieve Open Defecation Free status.

The State Delegates will on the other hand get valuable suggestions and inputs from the Hon. Minister on how best to help their respective States achieve Open Defecation Free status on or before the set date of 2025.

Kenechukwu Offie (Mrs.)

Director (Information)