UNICEF WANTS CONCERTED EFFORTS TOWARDS ENDING OPEN DEFECATION IN THE COUNTRY

The United Nations’ Children’s Fund (UNICEF) has called on state and federal governments to be strongly committed to ending open defecation in the country.

The Chief of Field Office, UNICEF, Enugu, Dr. Ibrahim Conteh, made the call during a two day media dialogue on “Clean-up Nigeria:use the toilet campaign,” held in Calabar, Cross River State.

Dr. Conteh expressed regret that diseases relating to open defecation, including typhoid and cholera were still prevalent in the country, owing to the fact that millions of Nigerians still practiced open defecation.

Dr. Conteh, who encouraged governments and relevant agencies to ensure that houses had improved toilets, equally called on mobile sewage disposal trucks not to dispose the contents in Rivers or indiscriminately, due to the danger it poses to public health.

He urged state governments and the private sector to invest in solid waste treatment plants for a cleaner environment.

In a keynote address, the Head, Child Rights Information Bureau, Federal Ministry of Information, Mr. Olumide Osanyipeju, stated that the Federal Government was committed to a clean Nigeria, adding that Water, Sanitation and Hygiene remained priority in government’s policy planning and implementation.

The media dialogue had in attendance, media professionals, while UNICEF’S Communication, Water, Sanitation and Hygiene specialists interacted with the participants on sensitizing the people to personal and community hygiene, especially the use of improved toilets in homes and public places.

The media dialogue was organized by UNICEF in collaboration with the Federal Government.

EMEFIENA OKONKWO

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