The United Nations Children’s Fund, UNICEF, says it would provide “technical support” for Katsina State Government to construct latrines in markets places and commercial centres in rural communities as part of efforts to check open defecation in the state.
The UNICEF Communication Specialist, Mr. Rabiu Musa made the disclosure in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria, NAN, on Thursday in Katsina.
“UNICEF will provide technical support for the construction of standard VIP latrines that will serve the desired objective in the identified local communities across the participating local government areas,” he said.
The UNICEF communication specialist further said that the agency would provide experts who would construct the standard latrines under the Katsina state Government, UNICEF and Private Sector Partnership strategy.
Musa assured that UNICEF would continue to support the state to get out of open defecation by year 2025.
“We are happy to be part of the investment plan committee to provide the necessary support in ensuring the success of this laudable initiative,” he said.
The communication specialist also urged all stakeholders particularly community and religious leaders to intensify efforts in enlightening their people on the need to construct toilets in their houses, and in the communities through self-help communal efforts.
Musa advised people in rural communities to continue to inculcate the habit of using latrines and hand washing after using latrines, as well as before and after eating.
According to him, these measures were necessary as they would assist greatly in reducing outbreak of diseases in the society.
It would be recalled that Governor Aminu Masari had recently declared a state of emergency in water and sanitation, and launched campaign against open defecation in the state.
Masari said that the administration had so far provided over 3,500 hand pumps, 100 solar boreholes and constructed 450 latrines in various communities, primary schools and healthcare facilities in the state.
Also, 3,000 communities have been certified Open Defecation Free by the UNICEF, all under the Sanitation, Hygiene and Water in Nigeria (SHAWN) project.
He said that open defecation is discouraged by both the religion and culture of people of the state.
“Traditionally, we know even if people are travelling in the bush, they should dig and bury their shit so that flies will not carry it into our food,” he said.
The governor urged the media to assist in sensitising the public on the importance of using latrines in their households as well as dangers associated with the ugly trend of open defecation.
