The general manager, Rural Water Supply and Sanitation Agency (RUWASA), Yobe State, Alhaji Liman Baba, has called on stakeholders in the hygiene and sanitation sector to develop a comprehensive roadmap towards achieving open defecation-free status in the state.
The GM made the call at a one-day workshop organised by the agency in Potiskum in collaboration with UNICEF.
He said that the workshop was aimed at Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 6 target of ensuring open defecation-free by all nations by 2030.
A statement by the information/public relations officer of the Ministry of Water Resources, Suleiman Baba Gimba, said the workshop was aimed at making stakeholders become more responsible and come up with commitment to achieving the strategic goal.
“As of now, there are three local government areas – Machina, Bade and Fune – that have achieved ODF free status,” he said.
He stressed the need for more efforts to ensure that the remaining 14 local government areas comply and have the adequate facilities to make them attain ODF free status.
The general manager lamented that open defecation has been the root cause of all waterborne diseases such as cholera, diarrhea and hepatitis.
He charged the participants at the workshop to extend the knowledge acquired to their various colleagues at their respective institutions.
On her part, the chief facilitator at the workshop, Mrs Dosa, highlighted the importance of water sanitation and hygiene and urged stakeholders to play their vital role as key players.
The director, Technical Services, RUWASA and UNICEF desk officer, Abubakar Moi Sule advised the participants to put into practice the skills gained at the workshop to facilitate the campaign to achieve open defecation free status in Yobe.
He added that Yobe would be ranked the second open defecation-free state soon as more collective efforts are made by the stakeholders.
