Open defecation: Kwara Assembly directs LG chairmen to provide toilets

The Kwara House of Assembly has directed Chairmen of the state’s 16 local governments to prioritise the provision of latrines and other forms of toilets to curb open defecation.

The directive was part of the House’s resolutions after deliberations on a Motion on Notice on the “Need to Discourage Open Defecation in Kwara State”.

The motion was moved Mr Bamigboye Olajire (APC/Oke-ero) and seconded by Mariam Yusuf (APC/Ilorin South) during Tuesday’s plenary.

Leading the debate, Olajire expressed worry that open defecation remained unabated in both rural and urban areas of the state.

He lamented that this was in spite of the state government’s efforts to ensure that residents lived in an hygienic environment by building smart public lavatories.

“Open defecation triggered transmission of diarrhea diseases like cholera, typhoid, as well as intestinal worm infection and polio.

“Hence, there is the need to discourage the unwholesome practice to ensure a healthy population,” the legislator said.

Other lawmakers in their contributions commended the Gov. AbdulRahman AbdulRasaq-led administration for taking proactive action in providing smart toilets for the people of the state.

They said the governor’s efforts were in a bid to discourage open defecation and called on members of the public to complement such efforts.

While reading out the House’s resolutions, the Speaker, Mr Yakubu Danladi-Salihu, urged the governor to direct the Rural Water Supply and Sanitation Agency (RUWASSA) to sensitise the people of the state.

The Speaker said the sensitisation should be on the dangers inherent in open defecation, as well as ways to curb the unhealthy practice.