Open Defecation : Abia Govt Partners Water Resources Ministry

To end Open Defecation across the ccountry, the Ministry of Water Resources and Sanitation has expressed commitment to partner the Abia State Government.

The Minister, Prof. Joseph Terlumun Utsev, stated when he hosted the Abia State Commissioner for Power and Public Utilities, Ikechukwu Monday in his office in Abuja.

Prof. Utsev commended the State’s efforts in tackling Open Defecation and expressed the Ministry’s commitment through the ‘Clean Nigeria Campaign’ to work closely with Governor Alex Otti, for the success of this initiative.

He assured that the Federal Government is fully committed to providing essential support for Abia State to attain Open Defecation Free status.

The Minister therefore urged the state government to heighten its efforts and exhibit tangible dedication to this important cause.

On his part, the Abia State Commissioner for Power and Public Utilities, Ikechukwu Monday, affirmed the State Government’s commitment to achieving Open Defecation Free status in 2024.

Monday who explained that the state has constructed toilet facilities in public places appealed to the Federal Government to complete the ongoing water project in the State.

The Commissioner also expressed the State’s willingness to partner the Federal Ministry of Water Resources and Sanitation on its WASH programme while appealing for hosting right for this year’s edition of the Ministry’s Council meeting.

Earlier in her remarks, the Director, Water Quality Control and Sanitation, in the Ministry, Mrs. Elizabeth Ugoh, who emphasized that the collaboration was coming at the time when only two percent of Abia State’s population practice Open Defecation stressed that this will assist in eradicating the practice in the state.

She further underscored the need for unwavering support from the Governor, local governments and a substantial budget allocation for a comprehensive behavioral change to reach the grassroots in the campaign against Open defecation.

By Georgina Humphrey, Edited By Grace Namiji