The Kwara State Government has reiterated its commitment on orienting the citizens against open defecation and the threat posed to public health and safety.
Mr. Olorunfemi Oladipo, General Manager, Kwara State Rural Water Sanitation Agency (RUWASA), made the emphasis on Wednesday during a visit to Wara in Ilorin West Local Government Area.
Oladipo said the visit was in continuation of the statewide engagements with key stakeholders, to stamp out open defecation in the state.
According to the general manager, a combination of both local and state monitoring teams have been constituted.
“The monitoring teams will work with a mandate to ensure that every household in the state has at least one toilet to discourage open defecation.
“The agency believes a lot can be achieved through Local Government authorities, which are closer to the grassroots.
“So, we promise to sustain the engagements with the local councils, until the agency accomplish its mission.
“Kwara State, through RUWASA, has since kick-started the Clean Kwara Campaign to fully achieve goal six of the Sustainable Development Goals, which is access to affordable water and sanitation for all.
“Three out of six pilot local governments, namely Ilorin South, Oke-Ero, and Ilorin West – have now been engaged, while the remaining; Patigi, Ekiti, and Ifelodun will be covered soon,’’ he said.
Oladipo also said that the government was committed to improving people’s access to portable water and sanitation.
He called on key stakeholders to collaborate with the administration to achieve an open defecation free status.
In his remarks, Alhaji Abdulrahman Ladan, Chairman, Ilorin West Local Government Council, applauded the various visionary programmes and initiatives of the state government.
He affirmed that the council had already keyed into the programme with its inclusion in the 2025 budget appropriation, to provide toilets in schools, markets, and public places, alongside boreholes for several communities.
Similarly, Mr. Abdulazeez Rufai, Head of Sanitation and Hygiene department of the agency, appealed to the residents to always be hygienic for their safety.
He assured them that the agency was working around the clock to ensure that government’s target to rid the six pilot local governments of open defecation by May, was fulfilled
