By Daniel Tyokua
The Executive Director Federal Capital Territory Rural Water Supply and Sanitation Agency (RUWASSA), Dr Mohammed Dan-Hassan has revealed that Nigeria loses N455 billion annually due to poor sanitation.
He disclosed this during the flag off ceremony of the construction of public toilets in the Six Area Councils of the FCT.
Dan-Hassan explained that available reports revealed that 39.4 per cent of the FCT population is involved in such practices.
He said open defecation involves a person passing excreta in spaces / location, where flies and other animals have access to it, which he said is a threat to well – being of the residents.
The ED stated that open defecation remains a challenge that people don’t want to talk about but is a matter that was receiving not just national but global attention due to its significance in health and environmental concerns.
“Clean and safe toilets would ensure fundamental human dignity for millions”
On the actions taken to end open defecation, Dan-Hassan listed the establishment of the agency in November, 2020. Creation of WASH units in the Area Councils.
Others include, setting – up of Ministerial committee for construction of public toilets, FCT declaration of state of emergency on water, sanitation and hygiene and launching of the FCT road map to end open defecation.
According to him, “4,601 communities triggered in Kwali and Bwari Area Councils, 32, 812 households engaged on dangers of practicing open defecation, 18,218 household toilets constructed.
“2,894 household engaged in construction of improved toilets and 1,087 SATO pans installed and used” he said.
