The Minister of Water Assets and Sanitation, Prof. Joseph Utsev, introduced that the Nationwide Process Group on Sanitation has declared eight further Native Authorities Areas open defecation-free.
Utsev, who made the announcement in a press assertion signed by the ministry’s Director of Info and Public Relations, Funmi Imuetinyan, on Thursday, famous that this achievement marks a important step ahead in Nigeria’s efforts to attain the nationwide ODF goal.
“Nigeria’s dedication to changing into ODF by 2030 has obtained a major enhance with the latest declaration of eight further LGAs as ODF throughout two states: Kano and Kebbi,” he stated.
Utsev defined that the NTGS, a multi-sectoral platform involving key stakeholders from related ministries, authorities businesses, improvement companions, non-governmental organisations, and the media, validated and declared the eight LGAs ODF throughout its month-to-month assembly held in Abuja on Wednesday.
“The newly declared ODF LGAs are Kiru, Bagwai, Dawakin Tofa, Gaya, Shanono, Gabasawa, Ungogo (Kano State); and Shanga (Kebbi State),” he acknowledged.
With these additions, the minister famous that the full variety of ODF LGAs within the nation now stands at 134.
Lately, the Minister of State for Surroundings, Dr. Ishaq Salako, highlighted that about 48 million Nigerians nonetheless interact in open defecation, regardless of having solely a yr left to fulfill the deadline to finish the follow in Nigeria.
Salako additionally confused that over 159 million Nigerians lack entry to hand-washing services, including that the FG must construct a million public bogs throughout the nation’s six geo-political zones.
Nonetheless, the Minister of Water Assets and Sanitation added that the inclusion of the eight LGAs as ODF underscores ongoing efforts to reinforce public well being, sanitation, and environmental sustainability throughout Nigeria.