Open defecation: FCT-RUWASSA sensitises motorists, traders at Jabi Motorpark

Stories by Stanley Onyekwere

As part of its drive towards achieving Open Defecation Free (ODF) status, the Federal Capital Territory Rural Water Supply And Sanitation Directorate (otherwise known as FCT-RUWASSA) has taken sensitisation campaign to traders and commercial transport operators, inside the popular Jabi Motor park, in Utako District, Abuja.
In particular, during the sensitisation campaign yesterday, FCT-RUWASSA officials took turns to educate their audience mainly traders and members of National Union of Road Transport Workers (NURTW) on menace of practicing open defecation in the society.
Also, the FCT officials informed the people on how to observe Water, Sensation and Hygiene (WASH) techniques, so as to help boost their healthy living outlook.
Addressing the gathering, Deputy Director, Head of Sanitation at FCT-RUWASSA, Mrs. Chinyere Arayi, opined that engaging in open defecation could lead to outbreak of communicable diseases like cholera and other water-related illnesses.
She added that as motorists, they should avoid the temptation of defecating discriminating, but ensure the patronage of toilet facilities in and around their operating area.
She noted that the sensitisation visit to the motorpark was timely, given the nature of activities and rainy season, as lots of diseases mostly cholera happen and transmit easily in such a busy environment.
Similarly, Alh. Hussaini Abdulkadir, Deputy Director, FCT-RUWASSA’s Head of Community Mobilisation and Hygiene Promotion, who spoke in Hausa language, stressed the need for the people to embrace WASH protocol in the park, so as to enure better personal hygiene practice in the area and other parts of the city at large.
Alh. Abdulkadir explained that open defecation mostly transfers communication diseases through the waterways and all down, due to poor personal hygiene practice.
He reiterated the resolve of the FCT Administration through the RUWASSA, to ensuring elimination of open defecation, thereby accelerating the attainment of ODF status in FCT.
Nigeria is among one of the leading countries that are still practising open defecation that are practising open defecation, which according to WHO it is supposed to end this year (2025), but Nigerian government has extended the deadline to 2030.
And despite the availability of public toilets in strategic places across the FCT, open defecation still persists.