Obiano wants citizens to stop open defecation as Experts Frown at Open Defecation at UNICEF, RUWASSA, SME programme on proper Sanitation, Hygiene at Federal Polytechnic, Oko

www.odogwblog.com reports that the United Nations International Children's Emergency Fund (UNICEF), Rural Water Supply And Sanitation Agency (RUWASSA), and Small/Medium Enterprises (SME), have frowned at open defecation and poor sanitation and hygiene in general.

They identified them as the major sources of diseases threatening the existence of mankind. These institutions partnered Federal Polytechnic Oko in addressing stakeholders on hygiene.


The stakeholders concluded that open defecation aside leading to air or water pollution; causes diarrhea and intestinal worm infections, typhoid, cholera, hepatitis, polio, trachoma and others. They informed that human excreta usually contain large numbers of germs which when people excrete in the open environment, flies will feed on and further carry some away on their bodies and feet to be transferred on food when they touch/perch on food, and the germs can grow and increase in numbers in a few hours before been eaten by human.


Speaking at the occasion, Consultant, UNICEF Nigeria, Mr. DIPAK Roy advised people to provide and make use of toilet and its facilities, including frequent hand washing with soaps so as to minimize diseases.

On his part, the Anambra State Governor, Chief Willie Obiano, represented by the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Public Utilities and Water Resources, Mr. Douglas Mbah, while advising the citizenry to refrain from defecating at bushes among other open places, disclosed that his government has started a programme of such all over the state, and will soon begin to clamp on perpetrators of the act with a view to ensuring improved environmental sanitation and healthy populace.

Earlier, the Rector, Federal Polytechnic, Oko, Prof. Godwin Onu represented by the Deputy Rector (Administrations), Comrade Ejike Nwagbona, who said that the polytechnic is a hub of training, disclosed that the institution enjoys proper sanitation since inception, because toilets or convenient exist at all their accommodations and classrooms.

Highlights of the closing ceremony were presentation of certificates to the participants, organisers of the event and the Host, Onu, and a tour to ascertain the pace of work at some of the ongoing super-structured cost-efficient toilets projects in the polytechnic hostels designed to stay 5 to 6 years without been filled up with excreta.