WTD: Bauchi Gov’t stresses importance of more toilets in public places
By Samuel Luka, Bauchi
Bauchi state government has organized a one day activity to commemorate the 2024 World Toilet Day (WTD), with a call for the provision of more toilets in motor parks, markets, schools and other public places in order to improve environmental sanitation.
Speaking at the occasion, Commissioner for Water Resources in Bauchi, Honourable Abdulrazak Nuhu Zaki, said the event was organized as part of government’s efforts to create Public awareness on the importance of using toilets.
“As you are all aware, World Toilet Day was set up by the United Nations because of the desire to address open defecation”, he said.
Represented by the Permanent Secretary in the ministry, Sama’ila Mohammed Tela, the Commissioner said if toilets are made available in both private and public places, health of the citizens would be improved, thereby, reducing the frequency of visiting the hospital.
“If we can have toilets in our communities, maybe in Motor parks, markets and other public places, you can imagine when we have access to toilets in our towns and villages, we will live a healthy life, we will visit health facilities less and then we will have more money in our pockets because we have reduced going to hospital”, he stated.
“Toilets should be used, that is why we are now looking for innovations and ideas on how to improve it, and that is the reason why we are here”, the Commissioner said.
Earlier speaking in a goodwill message, Chief of Field Office, United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) Bauchi, Dr Nuzhat Rafique said the impact of open defecation is capable of causing poverty within households, thus, preventing children from reaching their potentials in life.
She explained that, beyond the immediate health impacts, open defecation affects every part of daily life in which children miss school, families spend hard-earned money on healthcare, and time that could be spent on productive ventures due to illness.
Represented by WASH Officer, Dawap Nanbam Michael, the Chief of Field Office disclosed that one gram of human waste can carry millions of harmful bacteria, viruses, and parasites.
“These pathogens spread through air, water, flies, and animals, contaminating our food and water sources and endangering our health” she said.
Dr Nuzhat Rafique stated that open defecation can lead to outbreaks of diseases like cholera, which remains one of the leading killers of children.