Abia Bans Use Of Open Latrines

The Abia government has prohibited the use of  open dug latrines in the state, Prof. Mkpa A. Mkpa, the Secretary to the State Government (SSG), has said.

Mkpa, who is also the Chairman, Abia State Emergency Management Agency (SEMA), said this on Tuesday in Umuahia at the inauguration of the committee.

The prohibition will take effect from Nov. 1.

“Anywhere it (open dug latrine) is found in the state, that community will be prosecuted,” he warned, saying that a  law to that effect had already

been enacted.

He urged individuals and communities to build modern toilets before the deadline to avoid prosecution.

Mkpa disclosed that the state government had supported SEMA with N4million to tackle the cholera outbreak in Eziukwu, Bende Local Government Area.

The Chairman, who commended UNICEF for donating about a million naira to the state to combat the epidemic, said that the committee members

were drawn from multi-disciplinary organisations with vast knowledge of disaster management.

Meanwhile the staff of Abia State Water Board have expressed indignation over the inability of government to provide potable

water to residents of the state for more than three years.

Many residents obtain water from bore holes for their domestic chores while others fetch theirs from ponds and streams.

The Acting General Manager of Abia Water Board, Mrs Lynda Alaribe,  recently convened a meeting to chart the way forward .

She urged them to brace for the challenges posed by the water scarcity.

According to her, government is taking steps to restore normal water supply to residents in the shortest time possible.