By Sani Bala Karo
The Federal Government of Nigeria has certified 20 Local Government Areas in Kano State as Open Defecation Free, while six others were close to attain the status.
The certification followed the recommendations of Clean Nigeria Campaign, a body saddle with the responsibility of monitoring the implementation of Presidential Executive Order on ending open defecation across the country.
Presenting the ODF certificates to the state and local government councils, the Minister of Water Resources and Sanitation, Prof. Joseph Utsev commend the state government for its expedite actions in tackling sanitation and hygiene matters.
The Minister, represented by the Permanent Secretary of the ministry, Mr. Richard Pheelangwah, acknowledge the invaluable support of the state alongside the development partners in the sector such as UNICEF, WaterAid, NEWSAN and others in our efforts to bring behavioural change among the people. He therefore called for more collaboration and accelerated action to bring the remaining local governments to the fold to achieve total ODF.
Mr. Joseph Utsev noted that Kano State is at advantage to use its high population to utilize the opportunities abound in sanitation economy by bringing in the private sector.
He also asked the state to, as a way forward, issue Executive Order on the matter, involve the traditional rulers, employ more sanitation facilitators and bring up sustainability plans to maintain its status of ODF.
In his speech, the state Governor, Engr. Abba Kabir Yusuf expressed his great joy and pride for the state to attain this level by bringing down the number of persons defecating outside home to the barest minimum through mass intervention, supporting selfhelp groups, engaging traditional rulers and strengthened bye-laws.
Governor Abba who was represented by his Deputy, Comrade Aminu Abdussalam noted that waterborne diseases constitute a great threat to public health in the state, however assured that “we intend to reach every household by posting sanitary inspectors and scale up investment in the sector to maintain our status”.
He commend the Federal Ministry of Water Resources and Sanitation, UNICEF and other development partners for their immense contribution to the sector.
In his remarks, UNICEF Representative Muhammad Farrah, acknowledged the achievement of Kano State so far in the fight against open defecation and ask the government to consolidate on the gains through adequate funding in the WASH sector, address polio, malnutrition and poverty as well as making environment child friendly adding that eradication of all these are achievable. He commended Jigawa and Katsina States for their remarkable success in eradicating open defecation.
Speaking earlier, the Managing Director of Kano State Rural Water Supply and Sanitation Agency, Engr. Shamwilu Abdulkadir Isa stated that since his inception RUWASA was able to provide more than 50 water schemes in form of handpumps, motorized and upgrade.
He thanked Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf for giving the Agency necessary support that enabled them to achieve what is celebrated today and assured the governor that they will deliver the remaining local governments very soon with the support of the development partners.
High points of the event include award of Great Achiever of the Year to Governor Abba Yusuf and the certified LGAs. The LGAs were Gezawa, Kiru, Rano, Dawakin Kudu, Albasu, Shanono, Bagwai.
Others are Dawakin Tofa, Rimin Gado, Minjibir, Kumbotso, Madobi, Karaye, and Takai.
The rest are Ungoggo, Gaya, Ajingi, Gabasawa, Kura, and Gari.
