12 More Councils Attain Open Defecation-free Status

Twelve more local governments in the country have attained open defecation-free status.

Minister of water resources and sanitation, Prof. Joseph Utsev, disclosed this in Abuja, noting that the National Task Group on Sanitation (NTGS), a multi-sectoral platform involving some ministries, agencies, NGO networks and the media, validated and declared the additional 12 new local government areas as open defecation-free during their monthly meeting held in Abuja.

According to Prof Utsev, Kano State has the highest number with seven new LGAs which are Kunchi, Gezawa, Ajingi, Karaye, Rimin Gado, Rano and Albasu while Katsina State came second with two – Kankara and Funtua.

Bayelsa, Delta and Ogun States have one each including Kolokuma/Opokuma, Oshimili North and Ikenne respectively.

The new feat brings the total number of open defecation-free local government areas in the country to 117.

The other ODF LGAs are Jigawa State, the first open defecation-free state (27 LGAs); Anambra (3); Akwa-Ibom (1); Bauchi (7) ; Benue (9); Borno (2); Cross River (6);  Kano (11 + 7 = 18); Kaduna (7); Katsina (25 + 2 = 27); Osun (1); Yobe (1); Zamfara (3) and Imo (1) local government areas respectively.