Desirous to prevent possible outbreak of cholera in the Federal Capital Territory, the FCT Rural Water Supply and Sanitation Agency, RUWASSA has warned residents against open defecation in bushes and uncompleted buildings.
The Directorate has similarly advised against indiscriminate and random open defecation in public spaces.
The Executive Director of FCT RUWASSA, Dr Joyce Chinyere Echoke cautioned that adherence to open defecation policy is not negotiable especially now that the rainy season is in session.
Dr Echoke said the idea of using bushes and uncompleted buildings for defecation, besides not being healthy, was also dangerous as reptiles are harboured there because of the cold weather.
The Executive Director said residents should imbibe the culture of hand washing as it helps to break the chain of most pathogenic disease transmission.
Dr. Echoke said the Agency has embarked on sensitization and awareness campaigns in the 62 wards across the territory.
The agency at the weekend, however, intensified its campaign against open defecation with a sensitization exercise targeted at major motor parks across the Territory.
The campaign which took place in Wuse market, focused on promoting proper sanitation and hygiene practices among transport operators, commuters, traders, and other users of motor parks.
The agency’s Head of Community Mobilization and Hygiene Promotion, Mallam Hussaini Abdulkadir, who led the exercise
emphasized the importance of using designated toilet facilities and urged members of the public to desist from open defecation.
He stressed that access to and proper use of toilets are critical to maintaining a clean, safe, and healthy environment.
The team also highlighted the need for strict compliance with existing sanitation laws, noting that the fight against open defecation requires not only public awareness but also adherence to established regulations.
Dr Joyce Echoke promised that FCT RUWASSA will implement and enforce stringent penalties for open defecation to deter individuals from engaging in such unhygienic practice especially now that the cholera epidemic is on the prowl.
The Executive Director therefore assured that the agency will upgrade and improve existing sanitation facilities to accommodate the growing population and wade off the cholera epidemic.
She said the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Barr Nyeson Wike and Minister of state, Dr. Maryam Mahmoud of the FCT have made provision for public toilets in strategic locations in various parts of the city and urged residents to use them hygienically.
Dr. Echoke cautioned that open defecation poses significant health and environmental risk and menace to well-being of the populace.
Accordingly, she said addressing the issue was paramount for the well being of communities in FCT.
The agency’s efforts aimed to reduce the incidence of open defecation, improve public health, and enhance the overall quality of life for rural communities in the FCT are not negotiable.
Never miss a moment! Get the stories shaping Nigeria, delivered straight to your phone. Follow Peoplesdaily Newspaper on WhatsApp for breaking news, exclusive reports, and the headlines everyone will be talking about, before anyone else.
