The Lagos State Government has restated its commitment to building a resilient city by eradicating open defecation and promoting good sanitation practices across the state.
Speaking at the 2024 World Toilet Day celebration held at Adeyemi Bero Auditorium, Alausa, Ikeja, the Commissioner for Environment and Water Resources, Tokunbo Wahab, emphasized the state’s dedication to addressing sanitation challenges and safeguarding public health.
Highlighting the significance of World Toilet Day, Wahab explained that the day draws attention to the 4.2 billion people globally who lack access to safely managed sanitation.
He stressed the importance of taking concrete actions to tackle the global sanitation crisis and meet Sustainable Development Goal 6, which aims to ensure water and sanitation for all by 2030.
The 2024 national theme,”Use the Toilet and Have Peace,” was described as apt by Wahab, who noted its focus on the threats to sanitation posed by conflict, climate change, disasters, and neglect.
“When sanitation services are destroyed, damaged, or disrupted, untreated human waste spreads into the environment, unleashing deadly diseases such as cholera and diarrhea, which affect community health and well-being,” Wahab warned.
As part of its efforts, the state has extended the “Clean Nigeria, Use the Toilet” campaign to 13 out of Lagos’s 20 local government areas.
Additionally, developmental training programs have been conducted for 250 public toilet operators and janitors to enhance their skills and improve service delivery.
The government has also introduced comprehensive operational guidelines to regulate the management of public toilets, ensuring that these facilities are hygienic and accessible to all.
Wahab reiterated the state’s resolve to provide long-term solutions to sanitation issues, emphasizing that eliminating open defecation is crucial to achieving a cleaner, healthier Lagos.
The World Toilet Day celebration serves as a reminder of the ongoing need for collaborative efforts to protect public health and improve sanitation, with the Lagos State Government leading the charge in creating a safer and more sustainable environment for its residents.
