The Permanent Secretary, Federal Ministry of Education, Arc. Sonny Echono, says governments at all levels have resolved to use the nation’s educational institutions to enlighten Nigerians against the hazard of open defecation.
He said the decision is in pursuant of the attainment of the Agenda 2030 Sustainable Development Declaration that calls for access to clean water and sanitation by the year 2030.
Echono stated this in Abuja when he led a delegation of the Nigerian Institute of Architects, (NIA), to the Minister of Water Resources, Engr. Suleiman Adamu, on a working visit.
A statement made available to The AUTHORITY by Ben Goong, Director of Public Relations at the Ministry on Friday, said the Perm Sec, who is also the President of the NIA, stated that the Ministry is willing to partner with public and private institutions in sensitizing Nigerians on the effects of poor hygiene and sanitation on public health.
He subsequently declared the willingness of the NIA to partner with government and other stakeholders in attaining the goals of the Agenda 2030 sustainable Development Declaration to which Nigeria is a signatory.
Speaking further, Echono pledged that the Institute will come up with functional and durable solutions to the sanitation-related issues, especially that of open defecation.
In his remarks, Engr. Adamu commended the Nigerian Institute of Architect for supporting the campaign against open defecation.
The minister, who revealed plans to provide sanitation facilities in the nation’s public schools, tasked the architects on designing prototypes of functional and durable toilets that will help curb the menace of public defecation and other sanitation issues.
He said that these toilets will not only serve public schools but other public institutions and recreational centres.
