FG Vows to Attain Open Defecation-free Target By 2030

BY CHIOMA DIBIA, Abuja
The Federal Government has stated its readiness to attain Open Defecation-free target by 2030.
To this end, the government ordered all schools both private and public inclusive of markets and communities to construct standard functional toilet facilities in order to stop open defecation.
Minister of Environment, Hon Balarabe Lawal stated this on Tuesday in Abuja at the World Toilet Day (WTD) event with the theme: “Accelerating Change”.
He stated that globally, more than four billion people are still living without safe toilets while 48 million people in Nigeria still practice open defecation.
“Open defecation comes with the consequences of diarrhea and cholera, with women and girls paying the highest price,” he said.
The minister lamented that toilets in the Federal Government Unity schools in FCT were poorly maintained while the schools lacked adequate water supply.
He suggested that schools facing such challenges should improve their sanitary conditions.
The minister solicited the support of development partners, NGOs, CSOs, organised private sector, community leaders and all Nigerians in promoting good sanitation and hygiene practice for the overall environmental health protection.
He stated that good hygiene would accelerate the progress recorded in meeting the open defecation-free target.
At the end, Lawal gave awards to Federal Government Colleges Rubochi and Kwali as the cleanest schools in the FCT.