By Omotayo Edubi
Some sanitation workers have complained that they are often marginalised, stigmatised and shunned as a result of their job despite being exposed to a wide variety of health hazards often come into direct contact with human waste.
Edisana Benjamin, septic tank emptier who spoke to NatureNews said, “The main risks we face during our work are harassment, injury, loss of our lives. About two years ago, while emptying a pit at night, a concrete block from the toilet structure broke off and fell on my head.”
Nike Adebola, a, cleaner in Garki old market, Abuja, said: “Sometimes, I come into contact with feces in my work, but I can only wipe it off with a cloth. There are no handwashing stations where I work so I have buy sachet water to wash my hands.”
While complaining about poor access to safe water or any water at all, decent sanitation and good hygiene facilities, residents across the six area councils in Abuja appeal to the government to build efficient toilet facilities at markets, parks and even at some strategic areas of our roads for travelers and provide them basic amenities for survival.
‘We have to pay also have to pay ₦50 to use the toilet here and most of time there is no water to flush or wash your hands, when we ask the cleaners they say they are under paid which is true, I cannot imagine cleaning up after a grown human being; says a trader in Garki old market.
The annual World Toilet Day, which is observed by the global community on 19 November, intends to raise awareness about the importance of dignified and safely managed sanitation facilities.
The 2021 World’s Toilet Day themed ‘valuing toilets’ is taking action to tackle the global sanitation challenges.
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