COVER
Assessing Nigeria’s Drive towards an Open Defecation-free Nation
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By Tosin Kolade
In Ungwar Mallam, a community in Dugabau Ward, Kabo Local Government in Kano State, by-laws exist which prescribe payment of fine for anyone found publicly defecating.
This has made it possible for defaulters paying N5,000 fine as a deterrent for others.
On a visit to the community, one would observe the presence of Water, Sanitation and Hygiene Committee (WASHCOM) members.
They have been trained as hygiene ambassadors, to carry out sustainable hygiene practices in many communities.
From encouraging community members to build and use their toilets, to monitoring usage, this has reduced the previous practice of open defecation.
In Maikalwa Yanma, a community under Nai’bawa ward, Kumbotso LGA, Hayatuddin Safiyo said since the introduction of the UNICEF-supported Water, Sanitation and Hygiene (WASH) programme, many communities have imbibed hygiene practices.
Safiyo said such practices included the introduction of innovations to manage water and food contamination through feaces, proper waste disposals and covering toilets with tightly-fitted drop hole covers.
This, he said, has been reflected with low records of preventable diseases and deaths, especially among under-five children.
Safiyo says communities now practice safety and hygiene by avoiding excreta contamination of water sources and adhering to the rule.
“There is a very big impact, let us take the previous year. In the previous year, there was not much rainfall, and the high rate of sickness was pronounced.
“In comparison with this year, the rainfall is high, much rainfall, but the rate of sickness is very low, considering the sensitisation, the knowledge of the hygiene programme,” he said.
Data from UNICEF showed that Nigeria was among the nations in the world with the highest number of people practising open defecation, estimated at over 47 million.
The practice has had a negative effect on the populace, especially children, in the areas of health and education and has contributed to the country’s failure to meet the MDG target.
The sanitation situation in the country prompted the National Council on Water Resources in 2014 to prioritize the development of a roadmap towards eliminating open defecation in the country, in line with the United Nations global campaign for ending open defecation.
This initiative tagged “Making Nigeria Open Defecation Free by 2025: A National Roadmap” was developed by the Federal Ministry of Water Resources with invaluable support from UNICEF and other key sector players across Nigeria.
In 2016, the National Council on Water Resources endorsed this road map as a means to eliminate open defecation in Nigeria.
The road map provides a guide towards achieving an open defecation free country using different approaches such as capacity development and promotion of improved technology options through sanitation marketing.
It stipulates the provision of sanitation facilities in public places; Community -Led Total Sanitation; promotional and media campaigns; creating enabling environment and coordination mechanism.
At the same time, many states have keyed into this road map with many activities to promote the building and using of toilets towards ending open defecation.
For this reason, the Director, FCT Rural Water Supply and Sanitation Agency (RUWASSA), Dr. Mohammed Dan-Hassan, said it was constructing 10,000 public toilets in strategic locations across the territory.
Dan-Hassan noted that this became necessary following President Muhammadu Buhari’s declaration of a state of emergency on open defecation in the 36 states of the Federation including the FCT.
He explained that in actualisation of the president’s directives, the construction of the toilets was one of the road maps to end open defecation in the territory by 2025.
The RUWASSA head sadly noted that with the 300 approved contractors, only 10 toilets had been built so far, with work ongoing at 65 other sites.
Dan-Hassan said that RUWASSA has a target of 2023 to eradicate open defecation in the FCT, saying lack of cooperation among relevant agencies like schools and medical facilities are its challenges.
However, many programmes have been introduced to make this national target a reality with the signing of the Executive Order 009 by President Buhari and the formation of the Clean Nigeria: Use the Toilet Campaign Secretariat.
Also, with the recent right given to Nigeria to host the 2022 World Toilet Summit in November, many are of the opinion that this would give the country the needed traction towards overcoming its sanitation challenges.
Mr Jack Sim, Founder of the World Toilet Organisation (WTO), while making the announcement, said the summit would be a great opportunity to showcase the extensive efforts of the Federal Government of Nigeria and also to drive the intended change.
Mrs Caterina De Albuquerque, Chief Executive Officer, Sanitation and Water for All (SWA), pointed out that sanitation was at one time not discussed and almost forgotten globally.
De Albuquerque applauded the leadership of Nigeria, for prioritising Water, Sanitation and Hygiene, adding that Nigeria’s example would inspire other African countries to follow suit.
“I applaud the decision to choose Nigeria as a host country for this important summit. Their focus on water and sanitation issues has been exemplary, with strong displays of political will at the highest levels of government.
“While progress has been hampered by COVID-19, their resolve to tackle open defecation, improve hygiene and provide access to clean drinking water is inspirational to other countries across the continent,” she said.
Dr Nicholas Igwe, National Coordinator, Organised Private Sector in Water, Sanitation and Hygiene, said that the choice of Nigeria for the summit was a clear endorsement of the commitment and political will of the Federal Government towards Water, Sanitation and Hygiene delivery in Nigeria.
Igwe indicates that the private sector has a critical role to play in driving the sanitation economy while also facilitating job creation.
He said the organised private sector has partnered with the Nigerians in Diaspora Commission, to mobilize two million Nigerians outside the country to adopt a toilet each for a household.
Igwe said that the measure was a multi -stakeholder approach designed to help the Federal Government put an end to open defecation in the country and also promote a healthy and disease free environment.
“We, the organised private sector in WASH recognize the importance of assisting the government based on the strong political will that has been shown.
“We have gone ahead to partner with the Nigerians in Diaspora Commission to mobilise two million Nigerians outside the country to adopt a toilet each for a household,” he said.
The Minister of Water Resources, Mr Suleiman Adamu, says that the selection of Nigeria as the host country for 2022 World Toilet Summit is a welcome development.
Adamu said that the choice of Nigeria to host the summit is coming at a period when Nigeria has made concrete plans to exit from the comity of nations practising open defecation.
The Minister recalled that the Open Defecation Free (ODF) Campaign was launched in November 2019, and was aimed at mobilising high level political support, resources and the entire populace towards building a new culture of safe sanitation.
He acknowledges that Nigeria needs all necessary support to ensure that the ODF Campaign gains traction with all stakeholders playing their part.
“I am optimistic that the World Toilet Summit will provide a veritable platform for mobilisation of the private sector and other critical stakeholders in addressing the challenge of Open Defecation in the country,” Adamu said.
Nevertheless, some experts say the upcoming summit will give Nigeria the needed push if new sanitation technologies will be introduced in a sustainable and cost-effective manner.
They said having an enabling environment, leadership and coordination is required in achieving a defecation-free target.
They added that working together with communities, civil society, development agencies, private sector and government at sub-national levels is crucial.
COVER
BOI Restates Commitment to Local Manufacturing, Job Creation
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Managing Director of the Bank of Industry (BOI), Mr Olasupo Olusi has reaffirmed the bank’s commitment to supporting local manufacturing in Nigeria.Olusi said this when he visited the GU Ebeco facility and inspected ongoing projects at the Nisa Medical and Zeberced Group at the Idu Industrial Layout, Abuja yesterday.
He expressed delight at the progress made so far at the various facilities while commending the chief executives of the organisations, urging them to do more. During the visit to the GU Ebeco, the BOI boss emphasised the importance of job creation and the need for their products to proudly bear the “Made in Nigeria” label.Olusi praised GU Ebeco’s progress over the past seven years, applauding its expansion into a national enterprise with over 1,500 employees and several facilities across the country.“I am very happy with the fact that BOI has supported this enterprise for the last seven years. It is wonderful to see that it has grown.“It employs 1,500 staff, and operates a national distribution system. We are proud of the significant role GU Ebeco is playing in the Nigerian manufacturing landscape,” he said.The BOI boss also commended the loan repayment performance of the company saying it had taken multiple facilities from the BOI. He encouraged other young entrepreneurs to stay focused, while assuring them of BOI’s commitment to supporting them and Nigeria’s industrialisation efforts.Responding Mr Ebere Uzozie, Managing Director of GU Ebeco, expressed his appreciation for the continued support from the BOI.“We are grateful for the Bank of Industry’s backing. Their loans have helped us expand and create lasting change. We now have 34 facilities, and we are debt-free.” We are optimistic the visit will mark a new chapter for the company, and will ensure further growth and partnerships that will contribute to Nigeria’s industrial future,” Uzozie said.at the Zeberced Group, its Managing Director, Mr Aydin Kurt, said that Nigeria had lots of potential and could be the future of the world.While acknowledging the country’s potential in industrialisation, he emphasised the importance of producing locally in Nigeria rather than relying on imports.Kurt also appealed for more collaboration with the BOI to promote industrialisation, create jobs and help grow the economy.“I cannot do it alone. we have to come together and create a synergy to attract different investors to come and also invest in this country.“This is our vision we have a lot to share with you, and thank you once again for visiting our corporations,” he said.Responding, the BOI managing director said that the bank was keen on infrastructure and committed to supporting industrious infrastructure.“This project is very important to us and a critical objective for the county and, in that spirit, we have decided that we will continue to support the proliferation of industrial parts across the nation.Why yours is so unique is because it has a plan for Micro Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) which is very important.“We have a mandate to support that particular segment of our economy because they are the ones that champion job creation and most of the growth of the economy is attributed to them,” Olusi said.The BOI boss thanked Zeberced Group for the opportunity while commending the groups’ vision, energy and optimism to carry the project forward.“We look forward to our partnership. Like I said, we all want to be parts and parcel of this project, we have already given you some money to implement it, and we will see how we can do more.“As you expand we will support, but you have to also show us the job creation numbers, and make sure your goods are branded made in Nigeria,” he said.The News Agency of Nigeria reports that GU Ebeco is a furniture company while Zeberced is a construction company. NANCOVER
FRSC Unveils App to Mitigate Road Crashes Impact
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By Tony Obiechina, Abuja
Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) has unveiled an app to boost efficiency and mitigate the impact of road accidents in the country.Speaking at the event yesterday in Abuja, the Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), George Akume explained that the app was designed to digitalize FRSC operations for effective traffic management.
The SGF who described the current rate of accidents as a great concern to the present administration, urged the FRSC management to involve stakeholders in the implementation of the app to monitor motorists and curb the excesses of FRSC officers and personnel. The Chairman, House Committee on Road Safety, Abiodun Adeshida said the National Assembly was ready to review the 2007 Federal Road Safety Corps Act for more efficient service delivery.The Kenyan Ambassador to Nigeria, Isaac Parashina said African countries have a lot to learn from the FRSC’s experience in addressing the high rate of road crashes across the continent.According to the him, Africans must come together and provide homegrown solutions to address road safety challenges.In his welcome remarks, the Corps Marshal FRSC, Shehu Mohammed stated that the innovation was part of efforts to align with the Renewed Hope Agenda of President Bola Tinubu’s administration on the use of the new technology to strengthen the commitment of road users and enhancing road safety operations.Mohammed said the corps would embark on aggressive sensitization in all motor parks and town hall meetings for stakeholders to key into the new technology.The Director-General of the Federal Radio Corporation of Nigeria (FRCN), Dr. Mohammed Bulama expressed confidence that the new technology would bring sanity to Nigerian roads.Dr Bulama commended FRSC management for the new operational initiative and pledged FRCN’s continued support to every program to reduce death and enhance economic activities in the country.The Acting President, National Union of Road Transport Workers (NURTW), Isa Ore said leaders in the transport sector would contribute to the success of the application in saving lives on the highway.Other stakeholders in the transport sector promised to support FRSC in enforcing traffic laws and protect lives and property on Nigerian roads.COVER
Lokpobiri Meets Shettima, Denies Involvement in Petrol Price Hike
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By David Torough, Abuja
Minister of State (Oil) Petroleum Resources Heineken Lokpobiri yesterday denied that the Federal Government is responsible for the Tuesday increase in the price of petrol, saying it is a function of deregulation.The latest hike in the price of petrol has pushed up transport fares by over 50 percent in major cities across Nigeria.
The increase implemented by the Nigerian National Petroleum Company (NNPCL) Retail Management ranges from N855 to N897 per litre, depending on the location from the previous N568-N617. Independent marketers have adjusted their prices to between N930 and N1,200 per litre of petrol.The minister denied FG’s involvement while addressing State House correspondents after a meeting with Vice President Kashim Shettima in Abuja.Shettima had summoned Lokpobiri along with the Group Managing Director of Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL) Mele Kyari and the National Security Adviser Malam Nuhu Ribadu over the recent hike in the price of petrol.Lokpobiri said, “This sector is deregulated. And we believe that with the availability of products, the price will find its level.“What is important is that the product is available in the country. Between now and weekend, there will be availability of the product across the length and breadth of the country.“We believe that by the time there is availability of the product across the country, the price itself will stabilise.”Mr Ogbugo Ukoha, Executive Director, Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA) said regulatory efforts were geared toward stabilising supply of petrol in the country, which he said would impact positively on stability of price.Okuoha said, “The objective of the regulator is to ensure that there’s increased operating hours from all loading depots; vessels are being cleared promptly and extended hours where safety can permit truck outs as well.“More importantly also is the reinforcement of the support being given to local refinancing, because with increased production there will be higher supply, which will stabilise the price.”Despite making its product available, the Federal Government has not started lifting petrol from the Dangote Refinery.Yesterday, Dangote Group refuted the claim in the media that NNPCL is currently lifting petrol from its refinery and selling at N897 per litre.A statement signed by the Group Chief Branding and Communications Officer, Dangote Group, Anthony Chiejina said the company has not yet finalised any contract with NNPCL.The statement entitled, “NNPC yet to lift our petrol” reads, “Our attention has been drawn to a headline “NNPC lifts Dangote Petrol, sells at N897 per litre” published in the BusinessDay Newspapers of Wednesday, 4 September 2024.“We would like to state that NNPCL has not commenced lifting of refined Premium Motor Spirit (PMS), commonly known as petrol, from our Dangote Petroleum Refinery.“Therefore, the issue of fixing the price of petrol lifted from our refinery does not arise, as we are yet to finalize our contract with NNPCL.“The PMS market is strictly regulated, which is known to all oil marketers and stakeholders in the sector, hence we cannot determine, fix, or influence the product price, which falls under the purview of relevant government authorities.“We urge the public to disregard the headline as it is misleading and does not represent the true position in this matter.“We are guaranteeing Nigerians of exceptionally high quality petroleum products that will be readily available all over the country.”