Bauchi Govt to implement SDG’s 6 for state-wide Open Defecation Free
The State commissioner Ministry of Water Resources, Abdulrazak Nuhu Zaki made this known at the commemoration of World Toilet Day that comes 19th November of every year.
Bauchi State Government has expressed determination to work for the actualization of Sustainable Development Goals’ 6 to ensure the Statewide achieve Open Defecation Free status by the year 2025.
The State commissioner Ministry of Water Resources, Abdulrazak Nuhu Zaki made this known at the commemoration of World Toilet Day that comes 19th November of every year.
Speaking on behalf of the commissioner, the General Manager Rural and Urban Water Sanitation Agency – RUWASSA, Alhaji Adamu Sabo said, the state has so far, been able to delivered 8 LGAs as LGA ODF wide, and mentioned the local government areas as Dass, Warji, Shira, Gamawa, Bogoro, Ganjuwa, Toro and Katagum.
Nuhu Zaki said as part of the Sustainability process, the State Government identified and trained private entrepreneurs on sanitation marketing for improved latrine construction at household and private places like markets and motor parks, where 194 toilets business owners, 582 masons and 116 toilet investors where trained on improved latrine across the State.
He added that One Hundred and Thirteen Thousand Ninety Two Improved Toilets were constructed across the state and emphasized that construction and usage of improved latrine is a dignity, pride and disease prevention, therefore urged the people of Bauchi State to use improved toilet for fecal management.
The commissioner commended UNICEF for its continued support to people of Bauchi State, particularly Women and children.
The UNICEF WASH consultant in the State, Abdulsalam M. Abdullahi affirms the commitment of the UNICEF in supporting the state government in the areas of sanitation, water and hygiene to have a healthy Children and Women in society.
He said the to encourage sanitation marketing, UNICEF, RUWASSA and SRF signed Memorandum of Understanding with 3 Microfinance Institutions for releasing of sanitation revolving loan under the new law of UNICEF and RUWASSA.
He urged the Media practitioners to keep encouraging people of the State for the construction of improved latrine and imbibing the sanitation culture until Bauchi State declare Open Defecation Free wide State.
The UNICEF WASH consultant, congratulated Katagum Local Government for being among Open Defecation Free LGAs in the country, urged remaining 12 non ODF LGAs in the state to emulate Katagum.
While commenting on the role of Community mobilization in ensuring open defecation free, the Sanitation Officer of Katagum Local Government Area, Alhaji Salisu Ali, said the best approach as a driving post is Community – Led Total Sanitation CLTS that easily change the behaviour for Sustainable improvement.
Alhaji Salisu, said Katagum WASH Unit has trained Water Sanitation and Hygiene Committee as another means of ensuring open Free Defecation.
The sanitation Officer said other approaches in the Community for ensuring ODF include Volunteer Hygiene Promotion, Community Water Safety Plan, Water Sanitation and Hygiene in schools, WASH in Healthcare facilities and formation of Bye Law to prevent open defecation.
