World Toilet Day, is a day set aside by the United Nations to raise awareness on people living without toilets across the globe, and the consciousness on the need to maintain proper sanitary system.
To mark this day, HipCity, in partnership with Rural Water Supply and Sanitation Agency (RUWASSA) and Water Aid on the 20th November, 2023, went on a sensitization tour across the six LGA’s in the FCT to sensitize residents on the dangers and health implication of Open Defecation, the importance of maintaining a hygienic environment. The team also embarked on an inspection of public toilets in the FCT, to ensure that minimal standards are adopted.
Addressing the team before take-off, Head of Department, Sanitation, RUWASSA, Mrs Aisha Bakpet informed that the team will visit the six local government council in FCT and sensitize the people on the dangers of open defecation, and the need to construct and use the toilet.
The purpose of the sensitization she noted was to accelerate change, in line with the theme of this years’ commemoration.
Listing the health implication of open defecation, Mrs Bakpet pointed out that lack of toilets contributes to outbreak of diseases like cholera, dysentery, typhoid, vomiting which is one leading cause of high mortality rate. According to her, the team will be visiting market places, motor parks, communities where public toilets are situated. She called on civil society organizations, religious leaders, government bodies to play contributory roles in ensuring a clean and healthy environment.
HipCity Executive Director, Mr Bassey Bassey, noted that the commemoration day brings out the consciousness and gives the toilet its pride of place. He cautioned against being ashamed to use the toilet. Mr Bassey called on the public to ensure they have a toilet, in order to keep the environment clean, safe and habitable.
Contributing, the Water Aid Officer, appealed that, beyond the commemorate date, mechanism for the promotion of improved sanitary conditions, should be continuously activated.
Communities visited by HipCity on sensitization were Tundu -Fulani, Dei Dei and Dakwa in Bwari local government council. Other locations were Abaji and Gwagwalada axis.
At Tundu- Fulani, we visited the LEA Normadic Primary school, to inspect the ongoing construction of toilet and bathroom being sponsored by Water Aid in collaboration with RUWASSA.
