The Federal Government, on Wednesday, said it would collaborate with the Abia State Government to end open defecation in the South-Eastern state this year.
It disclosed this through the Federal Ministry of Water Resources and Sanitation, and expressed commitment to partner the state in ending the practice of defecating publicly in Abia.
The Minister of Water Resources and Sanitation, Prof. Joseph Utsev, shared insights about the partnership in Abuja during a meeting with the Abia State Commissioner for Power and Public Utilities, Ikechukwu Monday, according to a statement issued on Wednesday by the ministry’s spokesperson, Funmi Imuetinyan.
Utsev commended the state’s efforts in tackling open defecation and expressed the ministry’s commitment through the Clean Nigeria Campaign to collaborate closely with the Abia State Government for the success of the initiative.
The statement read in part, “The minister assured (his guests) that the Federal Government is fully committed to providing essential support for Abia State to attain open defecation free status.
“He urged the state government to heighten its efforts and exhibit tangible dedication to this important cause.”
Responding, the commissioner said the state government was committed to achieving open defecation free status in 2024.
He highlighted the state’s efforts to include the construction of toilets in public places, and urged the Federal Government to complete the ongoing water project in Abia State.
Ikechukwu expressed the state’s willingness to partner the Federal Ministry of Water Resources on its Water Sanitation and Hygiene programme, as he informally requested that Abia State should host the year 2024 edition of the ministry’s council meeting.
Also speaking at the meeting, the Director, Water Quality Control and Sanitation, Federal Ministry of Water Resources, Elizabeth Ugoh, said the collaboration would gain strength as only two per cent of Abia state’s population practices open defecation.
She supported the decision to eradicate the practice in the state and underscored the need for unwavering support from the state governor, as well as Local Government chairmen.
Ugoh also called for a substantial budgetary allocation to fund a comprehensive behavioral campaign that would reach the grassroots in the fight against open defecation.
On the laboratory being provided by the ministry in Abia State, Ugoh clarified that skeletal work had commenced on the project, adding that the facility would operate at full capacity once the necessary equipment had been delivered.
