Nigeria has been ranked third by the United Nations Children Funds (UNICEF) among the countries of the world where people still defecate in open spaces.
This was made known by the UNICEF Chief of Water, Sanitation and Hygiene (WASH) in Nigeria Mr Zaid Jurji, on Wednesday in Katsina, when he paid courtesy visit to Gov. Aminu Masari.
According to Jurji the deteriorating situation of sanitation in Nigeria is alarming, adding that Nigeria ranks third worldwide when it comes to open defecation as one-third of the population practise such.
“Nigeria is a heavy weight country, not only in Africa, but worldwide".
“It does not augur well to know that open defecation is being practised widely in various communities in a strong country like Nigeria.
“So, we need to do something about that beyond the traditional approach to improve on the situation, by urging every household to ensure installation of a standard pit latrine". he said.
He added that UNICEF is committed to make available funds that would be combined with counterpart funds from state governments to render the much needed services in order to arrest the ugly trend.
Jurji called on leaders and stakeholders to intensify efforts toward enlightening communities on the health implication associated with such practice. Adding that eradicating open defecation would also assist to improve sanitation, being one of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
“Our role to is see that happening, but changing people’s attitude by making them know that open defecation is something Nigerians cannot stand anymore,’’ he said.
Reacting, Masari disclosed that with the collaborative effort of the state government and State Universal Basis Education (SUBEB) some pit latrines has been provided particularly at public places like schools, markets and motor parks.
He said that improving sanitation and eradicating open defecation would assist to reduce diseases by about 50 per cent. (NAN)
