FCTA To Continue Campaign Against Open Defecation

By: Janet Peni & Oji Moses
The Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA) will continue to champion the campaign against open defecation in the Federal Capital Territory due to its immense benefits.
The Director, Abuja Environmental Protection Board, (AEPB), Engr. Osilama Braimah, gave this assurance, while speaking at a event marking the 2024 World Toilet Day in Dutse Makaranta, a suburb of Abuja, Tuesday.
The Director reiterated the need to have toilets; observe proper sanitation and hygiene is yielding great and positive result across all rural communities of FCT.
Braimah said the yearly event commemorated around the World is meant to draw attention to the issue of open defecation, public sanitation and the importance of having toilets in every community no matter how remote or inaccessible such place is.
His words: “The whole idea is to prevent the problem of open defecation in our society, because of the health problems like cholera, diphtheria, diarrhea and other diseases that comes from lack of toilets.”
“Accordingly, the Department of Environmental Health and Safety of our Board, will continue to go round the rural communities of the FCT to educate them on the ills of lack of this important facility in our homes,” he added.
The Director said that when people have access to clean and safe toilets, they are shielded from shame, embarrassment and such communities are protected from hazardous health conditions.
Braimah said the mission of the Abuja Environmental Protection Board is to maintain a clean, safe and hygienic environment devoid of diseases outbreaks across the entire 8,000 square kilometers of the Federal Capital Territory.
He said, “Sanitation is central in this mission and the provision of public toilets in schools, parks, markets and other shared spaces by the FCT Administration underscores the commitment to accessible, dignified sanitation for all”.
Braimah used the occasion to charge all residents of the FCT to assist the Administration and take the campaign to all the nooks and crannies of the Territory; saying that the provision of public toilets though essential, their impact is amplified only when accompanied by a culture of responsible use and hygiene.
Answering the question on why school children are always invited by the Board when marking the Day, Engr. Braimah said it is in the spirit of catching them young in the bid for them to do the right thing when grown.
“We are trying to inculcate in these young ones the habit of proper sanitation and hygiene. It is to enlighten them on the importance of using toilets; keeping them clean and free from germs and other pathogens. We all know that it is always easy when people learn good habits at early stage of life so that they grow with it,” he emphasized.
Earlier in her welcome address, the Director of Environmental Health and Safety of AEPB, Mrs. Kate Ogbonna, said access to clean and safe sanitation is the right of every individual; saying that all FCT residents should work together in addressing the global sanitation crises through collaborative efforts, policy innovation and public awareness.
Ogbonna said, the Abuja Environmental Protection Board is working to ensure they eradicate open defecation, pollution and institute environmental healthiness and clean ecosystem in FCT.