Nasararawa State government has entered into a partnership with private investors to provide toilets in public places to end open defecation in the state.
The permanent secretary, Ministry of Environment and Natural Resources, Mr. Garba Rosha-Mohammed, disclosed this after the monthly environmental sanitation exercise in Lafia yesterday.
He said the state government had keyed into the plans of the federal government to end open defecation by 2030.
“The partnership is a major step towards achieving the country’s open defecation-free status by 2030.
“Already, two public toilets are under construction in Lafia, the state capital in strategic places and we want to have about 30 of them in the capital alone.
“We have public toilets in markets and motor parks, and we have put measures on ground to ensure that high hygiene practices are maintained to guarantee the safety of users,” he stated.
He noted that lack of access to toilets had serious implications for public health and environmental sustainability.
He said the partnership was a demonstration of the Governor Abdullahi Sule administration’s commitment to address this challenge and provide better life for the citizens.
“The toilets will be maintained and managed by the private sector partner, with the government providing regulatory oversight.
The partnership is expected to create jobs, stimulate economic growth and improve the overall quality of life of people of the state,” he added.
He advised members of the public to also ensure that they provide toilets in their houses to avoid sanctions.
