Good public toilet system will end open defecation, experts have said.
At a training for toilet operators in Lagos State, organised by Ministry of Environment and Water Resources, experts said proper administration of public toilet system will help in open defecation free status in 2025.
Sanitation expert, Dr. Cyril Babasope, stressed that the toilet system must be re-examined to cater for certain category – persons living with disabilities, and the indigent.
He added: “Open defecation persists because we have not provided toilets fit for physically-challenged persons. So, when nature calls, and they cannot be comfortable using usual toilets, they resort to what is more convenient for them…
‘’Leaving these people behind in plans and policies will constitute problems for the government. Just like we have certain parking spots for challenged persons, we can also adopt this for the public toilet system …”
Read Also: Lagos intensifies efforts to eradicate open defecation
Permanent Secretary (Office of Environmental Services), Dr. Omobolaji Tajudeen, noted that the workshop would build capacity of toilet operators to ensure cleaner, more hygienic and safer public toilet environment…
“In line with the commitment to eradicate open defecation by 2025, Lagos State has lined up a four-cardinal roadmap: Advocacy and Enlightenment; Regulation and Standardisation; Infrastructural provision, Monitoring and Enforcement…”
Chairman of Public Toilets Owners Association, Alhaji Adenekan, urged the government to empower its task force to arrest people who practise open defecation.
“We have challenges of low patronage because people say N100 is too much for toilet… So we urge government to institute a task force on the Mainland like it is on the Island…”