Reactions have trailed the adoption of a motion by the Rivers State House of Assembly for the ban on open defecation in the state.
A cross session of environmentalists who reacted to the ban commended the Assembly for the move, describing it as timely.
They, however, said the ban should not only be on paper but should be translated into reality.
Speaking with The Tide, the Acting General Manager of the Rivers State Rural Water Supply And Sanitation Agency (RUWASSA), Napoleon Adah, said the motion was timely inview of the fact that past Administrations in the country have already signed Order 009 banning open defecation across the country.
He said RUWASSA and the Ministry of Water Resources are happy with the move by the State Government toilet facilities in public places in the state.
Adah said his Agency will continue with its sensitization campaign against open defecation in the state.
Also speaking, an Environmentalist, Mr. Blessing Jackson Tiko, also applauded the the House of Assembly for adopting the motion.
Tiko, who spoke with The Tide in Port Harcourt, said the motion was timely inview of the current outbreak of cholera across the country.
He said open defecation is a danger to public health, adding that enlightenment is also needed to change people’s behaviour on the issue of open defecation, especially in the rural areas.
TIko, who was Deputy Operation Officer, Phalga Environmental Taskforce, also urged for collaboration with other agencies to ensure that open defecation is eradicated in the state.
It would be recalled that The Rivers State House of Assembly had during its legislative sitting last week passed a resolution that public toilets facilities be constructed across the 23 Local Government Areas as a way of curbing open defecation in the State.
The Assembly also directed the Ministry of Environment, Ministry of Health and The Rivers State Waste Management Agency to check further defecation under flyovers in Port Harcourt.
It also advocated for regular monitoring, evaluation and active participation of relevant ministries and Stakeholders in the fight against open defecation.
The resolution was sequel to a motion presented by the Deputy Speaker, Adolphus Timothy Orubienimigha, on the floor of the House during its legislative sitting last Tuesday.
Deputy Speaker, Orubienimigha, while presenting the motion, prayed the House to direct the Ministry of Health and Environment to work collaboratively in order to develop a comprehensive action plan to eradicate open defecation in the State.
He said the motion was in line with the International Community’s commitment towards achieving acess to sanitation and hygiene for all by 2030, adding that Rivers State should never be left behind.
“Mr. Speaker and my distinguished colleagues, this is not just a sanitation issue, it’s a matter of public health, dignity and environmental responsibility”, he said.
The Deputy Speaker stressed the need for the House to declare a state of public emergency on the practice of open defecation and prohibiting its practice in the state.
Other demands include that the House should direct the Ministry of Environment and Ministry of Health to work collaboratively in order to develop a comprehensive action plan to eradicate open defecation in the state.
Also, to urge the Rivers State Government to allocate funds for the speedy implementation of these action plans, including the construction of public toilet facilities in the state capital and Communities where the practice is most prominent.
The Deputy Speaker also called for the implementation of sensitization and awareness campaigns to promote behavioral change.
Others are: to ensure and enforce the compliance of existing sanitation laws and health regulations; to engage stakeholders to actively participate and champion the fight against open defecation; and to request the relevant ministries to submit a progress report on the implementation of this action plan one month for the House’s review and further action.
Leader of thw House, Sokari Goodboy Sokari, while seconding the motion as moved by the Deputy Speaker, condemned the act of open defecation and described the motion as timely.
Speaker of the House, Victor Oko-Jumbo, at the end of the debate on the motion, said the prayers are in tandem with the motion.
Oko-Jumbo, who amended some of the prayers, called on traditional council leaders, private organizations and NGOs to support the speedy implementation of the action plan on open defecation.
All members present voted in favour of the resolution through a voice vote.

John Bibor