Open Defecation: AMAC Inaugurates ‘Maikalangu Vanguard’

By Garry Ochigbo

The Chairman, Abuja Municipal Area Council, Christopher Maikalangu, has inaugurated the ‘Maikalangu Vanguard’, aimed at tackling the menace of open defecation in the council.

The event with the theme “say no to open defecation”, had in attendance women drawn from the 12 wards of the council, who were empowered to ensure adequate sanitation in the area.

Speaking at the event, Maikalangu said that the women will work with traditional rulers and other stakeholders to make sure that they reduce open defecation to the barest minimum.

The AMAC Boss added that the ‘Maikalangu Vanguard’ popularly known as ‘Dubangari’ is an initiative to complement the efforts of the Environmental Services Department to sensitize the people living within the council on the dangers of open defecation and the advantages of personal hygiene.

He emphasized the need for those at the grassroots to imbibe the culture of good hygiene, desist from open defecation and indiscriminate waste disposal as these could likely lead to outbreak of diseases.

Maikalangu also called on people without toilets to try and provide one for themselves or take advantage of the public toilets within the council as the Vanguards will move from house to house to supervise and sanction defaulters.

He however commended the Environmental Services Department, Abuja Environmental Protection Board AEPB, and other partners for their efforts in actualizing his mission.

In a remark, the Head of Department, Environmental and Health Services, AMAC, Hannatu Ibrahim, said that 47 million Nigerians defecate in the open, including one in three persons in the FCT, hence the need to tackle the menace.

She added that the consequences are alarming resulting in the outbreak of diseases such as cholera, typhoid and various gastrointestinal infections from contaminated water sources and other ways undermining the health and wellbeing of the citizenry.

On his part, the Hakimi of Garki, Stephen Yakubu, who represented the Sapeyi of Garki, Alh Usman Ngakupi, said that Maikalangu had always been at the forefront when it comes to provision of basic amenities for AMAC residents and should be supported by residents.

Items distributed to members of the Maikalangu Vanguard include: wheel barrows, brooms, rakes, plastic baskets, shovels, jungle booths, hand gloves, disposable refuse sacks, metal packers, cutlasses, reflective jackets, faze caps, among others.

Edited By Grace Namiji