By Bisola Adeyemo
United Nations Children Fund, (UNICEF) has revealed the number of toilet facilities constructed in various communities in the North-east zone of the country between 2018 to date.
As part of UNICEF campaign against open defecation, 7,728 toilet facilities were constructed under its campaign against open defecation, Thisday said.
In his presentation, UNICEF Officer-in-Charge of Maiduguri Field Office, Dr. Clement Adams, stated this during the Media Orientation Programme to commemorate the 2021 World Toilet Day in Maiduguri, Borno State.
Adams said, UNICEF has been supporting the federal and state governments since 2018 in the northeast with the construction and rehabilitation of 4,752 and 2,976 toilets respectively across IDP camps and communities.
“About 200 sites have been supported with hand pump boreholes while 126,690 non-food items have been distributed to displaced and vulnerable families”.
In his speech, Adams lamented that 46 per cent of Nigeria’s population still engage in open defecation, with about 16 per cent of the population in Borno State and 32 per cent of the population in Yobe State involved in the distasteful act.
“With about 16 per cent of the population in Borno State and 32 per cent of the population in Yobe state still practicing open defecation, all stakeholders must review existing mechanisms with a view to improving access to toilets, reduce disease outbreaks and tackle malnutrition in conflict-affected children,” he said.
While revealing the UNICEF’s main objective, Adams said the agency is to promote access to toilets, reducing the number of open defecation in many communities in the north-east Nigeria and improving the health and wellbeing of children.
Therefore by achieving open defecation free, society will promote the wellbeing of the workforce and contribute to the reduction of stunting in children.
Adams, therefore, urged states to subscribe to the federal government’s mission in eradicating open defecation in the country by 2025.
“All states should take practical steps towards ending open defecation by constructing more toilets and water sources, especially among the most vulnerable population whether in camps or host communities.
“Schools, markets and other public places must not be left out even as we promote behavioural change among the people.
“National and state budgets must reflect the importance of toilets and water sources to the health of children and workforce. We must prioritise investments in physical and human resources and scale up existing.
