*Commends Jigawa as first state to be declared Open Defecation-Free (ODF)
Augustine Aminu and Fatima Saka
Ahead of the world toilet summit on 18th and 19th of November, Minister of Water Resources Engr Sulieman H Adamu has said watersheds have been degraded while reflecting on the recent flooding ravaging some parts of the country, and further assured the safety of delegates lives and properties.
The minister made this statement during the session of answering questions from newsmen on Thursday in Abuja on the coming event, Minister of Water Resources, Suleiman Adamu allayed fears over news reports that Abuja, venue of the summit, was not safe.
Speaking on, he said that dredging the rivers is another aspect of reducing flooding in Nigeria, adding that it will involve a lot of expenditure and consequences If dredging is considered.
Adamu further expressed the preparation of the Federal Government towards the international summit to be hosted in Nigeria for the first time.
“I assure all guests that Abuja is safe. We are prepared for the summit. If Abuja is not safe we will not be here today” he said.
The Minister said the Federal Government has put in place adequate security measures with all the security agencies ready and equipped to protect Nigerians and visitors at all times.
Adamu said that in spite of the security advisory on security in Abuja recently issued by the US embassy, the city is actually safe and visitors should entertain no fear about their safety.
The press conference was also organized to ensure that the campaign against Open Defecation in Nigeria gained more traction.
This is as the generality of Nigerians would learn more about the sanitation value chain and the economic opportunities for the roadmap to Nigerian Toilet Revolution through the Clean Nigeria: Use the Toilet Campaign.
This is with the goal that Nigeria will exit from the comity of nations practising open defecation.
In her welcome address, Didi Walson-Jack, Permanent Secretary of water resources said the world toilet summit is an opportunity that is expected participation of exhibitors and other relevant stakeholders in the water and sanitation sector, who have a wider range of vision within the sanitation value chain.
In his goodwill message, the founder of World Toilet Summit, Jack Sim, said the summit will involve a lot of hard work. Adding that it is also a place to plan and strategy, to learn and to network.
“From the discovery, toilet and sanitation is actually very cheap.
“Because not having sanitation and hygiene is much more expensive,” he said.
Meanwhile, the Minister commended Jigawa, as the first state to be declared Open Defecation-Free (ODF), having met all requirements stipulated in the protocol.
He said that Jigawa had blazed the trail deserving commendation for its dedication to the work of becoming ODF.
The National Task Group on Sanitation had declared the state ODF during an announcement, virtually at the NTGS monthly meeting.
Before attaining the ODF status, communities would have eliminated open defecation and imbibed total sanitation practices, which include personal, environmental and domestic hygiene.
The communities would have also had 100 per cent toilet use and increased ownership and sustainability of hygiene and sanitation services.