Lagos Government pledges to eliminate open defecation and improve sanitation, marking World Toilet Day with a focus on Sustainable Development Goal 6.
The Lagos State Government has reaffirmed its commitment to building a resilient city by eradicating open defecation and prioritizing sanitation improvements across the state.
This announcement was made by the Commissioner for Environment and Water Resources, Tokunbo Wahab, during the 2024 World Toilet Day celebrations held at the Adeyemi Bero Auditorium, Alausa, Ikeja.
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Wahab emphasized that World Toilet Day highlights the importance of sanitation, particularly for the 4.2 billion people worldwide who still lack access to safely managed sanitation.
He added that this day calls for action to address the global sanitation crisis and to meet Sustainable Development Goal 6: Water and Sanitation for All by 2030.
He highlighted that the national theme for this year, “Use the Toilet and Have Peace,” underscores the importance of sanitation, especially as it is threatened by conflict, climate change, disasters, and neglect.
“When sanitation services are destroyed or disrupted, untreated human waste contaminates the environment, leading to deadly diseases like cholera and diarrhea,” Wahab stated, stressing the need for reliable sanitation services to safeguard public health.
In Lagos, to address the issue of open defecation, the government has developed a four-pronged strategy: advocacy and sensitization, bridging infrastructure gaps, standardization and regulation of existing facilities, and rigorous monitoring and enforcement.
Wahab pointed out that the ministry has expanded its outreach efforts, launching the “Clean Nigeria, Use the Toilet Campaign” across 13 local government areas out of the 20 in Lagos.
Additionally, 250 public toilet operators and janitors have received developmental training to ensure better sanitation service delivery. Operational guidelines have also been put in place to regulate public toilets in the state.
Through these efforts, the Lagos State Government aims to significantly improve sanitation across the state, addressing one of the key challenges that affect community health and the well-being of citizens.
