Towards meeting open defecation free target by 2025, Lagos State government has charged residents to become ambassadors of positive change to the environment.
Speaking when the train of the toilet campaign landed in Surulere, Permanent Secretary, Office of Environmental Services, Gaji Omobolaji, said the journey to a clean Nigeria starts with each resident making a personal commitment to embrace change.
Omobolaji, who spoke through a director in the sanitation department of the ministry, Omoyeni Balogun, said the 2025 target could be achieved by promoting the construction and use of toilets in homes and public places in Nigeria as a whole. He said lack of proper sanitation and the practice of open defecation are significant challenges in the country, which must be tackled head-on.
According to him, it is disheartening to know that some citizens lack access to basic sanitation services and these leads to severe consequences for public health, environment and overall socio-economic development.
He explained that access to proper sanitation facilities is a fundamental human right and a crucial aspect of any developed society, stressing that the government would ensure that every individual has access to clean and safe sanitation facilities.
He said: “The state is determined to improve public health, reduce the spread of diseases, protect water sources, and enhance overall quality of life for all Nigerians.
“This is not just a campaign, but a movement that seeks to transform Lagos and Nigeria for the better. We must all play our part as policy makers, civil society, corporate entities or ordinary citizens to make this campaign a success.
“Together, let us usher in a new era of cleanliness and improved sanitation in Surulere Local Council and its environs.” Omobolaji added that the campaign starts with raising awareness about the importance of using toilets and proper sanitation practices in communities; prioritising and investing in sanitation infrastructure and all businesses joining hands with the government to support the cause.
The campaign, he said, was not just a call for change, but for collective action from all levels of the society, including the government, private sector, civil society, community-based organisations, artisans, public toilet operators and all citizens.
“The task ahead is challenging, but it is not insurmountable. All should work assiduously in their various spheres of life to achieve a cleaner, safer and healthier Lagos,” he added.
In his address, Chairman Surulere Local Council, Suleiman Bamidele, lauded the state’s giant strides in the sanitation and hygiene sector. According to him, the act of open defecation must be stopped because of its significant health challenges, such as diarrhea and cholera, which could eventually result in death.
He implored members of his community to collaborate with the state and be ambassadors against open defecation, and cascade the message to everyone in the Local Councils and Local Council Development Areas (LCDAS).
