Anyone, who practices open defecation again in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) will incur the wrath of the law, the executive director of the Rural Water Supply and Sanitation Agency (RUWASSA), Dr Mohammed Ali Dan-Hassan, has warned.
He declared that adherence to open defecation policy is not negotiable.
Dan-Hassan told journalists in his office yesterday that those still engaging in open defecation were advised and warned to desist from such acts, otherwise the sanitation byelaws and sanctions would be strictly applied.
He said the agency would implement and enforce stringent penalties for open defecation to deter individuals from engaging in such unhygienic practices.
Dan-Hassan explained that the FCT Administration has been investing in the development of proper sewage management systems and waste disposal infrastructure to ensure efficient disposal of human waste.
The director, therefore assured that the agency would ensure upgrades in the household sanitation ladder, especially in rural communities and expand public convenience facilities to accommodate the growing population, in line with the FCT infrastructural development plan.
He said the government has made provisions for public toilets in strategic locations in various parts of the city, satellite towns and rural communities.
Dan-Hassan said open defecation poses significant health and environmental risks.
Accordingly, he said addressing the issue was paramount to the wellbeing of communities in FCT. The current commitment is to make at least three out of the six Area Councils Open Defecation Free (ODF) in the year 2024. Presently, there are 117 out of 774 local government areas that have been certified and declared ODF in Nigeria.
The RUWASSA boss said the well-maintained public toilets in strategic locations across the FCT are to ensure convenient access to the residents.
“We need to encourage residents to take ownership of their health and personal hygiene and work collectively to maintain cleanliness. Together, a clean FCT is possible,” he added.
