Mrs Aregbesola Declares War On Open Defecation

The wife of the Osun Governor, Mrs Serifat Aregbesola, last Tuesday?embarked on a sensitisation campaign to educate residents of the state about the dangers of?open defecation.

Aregbesola, who is also the state ambassador for Community-led Total Sanitation (CLTS), in Osogbo, expressed her determination to?make 157 communities?open defecation free soonest.

Also speaking, Dr Mathew Olowokere of Mercy Clinic, Osogbo,?called on governments at all levels to intensify?awareness campaign against open defecation.

Olowokere made the call?while reacting to the nuisance and environmental hazards open defecation posed to every community in Nigeria.

He noted that?the culture of open defecation had taken root in virtually every community, adding that the development called for urgent attention by governments at all levels.

“Open defecation is not only limited to rural dwellers but it is also common in the urban areas, where travellers are often seen defecating on road sides.

“Failure on the part of government to provide enough public toilets is part of the reason for this unwholesome act.

“Even?using the existing ones (where they are available) is difficult because you have to avoid stepping on heaps of excreta left by other users due to the lack of maintenance.”

Olowokere further identified the common problem associated with open defecation to include?water contamination which results to gastro-intestinal diseases, leading to?the outbreak of cholera and diarrhoea, especially among children.

He, therefore, appealed to governments to intensify awareness campaign in order to educate the general public on the danger and hazards associated with open defecation.