Minister of the Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA), Mohammed Bello and his counterpart in Water Resources, Suleiman Adamau have entered into a partnership to rid Abuja of about 39.4% residents who practice open defecation.

This is even as the World Bank has extended assitance of $350m the Federal Government to address OD in 6 states.

 
The agreement was reached when the Minister of Water Resources, Engr Sulaiman Adamu, brought the campaign of ‘Clean Nigeria: Use The Toilet’, to the office of Minister of FCT,  Malam Muhammad  Bello,  and Minister of State for FCT, Dr. Ramatu Tijjani.
Bello said that the administration was ready to work with the Ministry, adding the Minister of State would be coordinating and work out the administration’s work plan. According to Bello, “Basic water supply is there and we are working to ensure that phases 3 and 4 of the Abuja are covered, we already concluded with  China Exim bank that is going to finance that . We have tried as much as possible, in terms of sanitation in FCT, we have tried to see how we can key into  your programme after the meeting we had with you. 

“We have identified the areas within Abuja where we need to put in public toilets. And these toilets will be powered by solar. We already have prototype of the toilets. Our agencies would partner with you and you will review the the programme”.FCT Minister therefore assured the Water Resources Minister that his administration would key into all their programmes especially on the key programme you mentioned. “My colleague, the Minister of State would coordinate all the programme and  work out the work plan”, he said. 
Earlier in his address the Minister of Water Resources, revealed that the World Bank has concluded arrangement to grant a ĺoan of  $350 million in  order to address its WASH challenges in six states of Nigeria.
 He lamented the fact that 47 million Nigerians practice open defecation, 57 million lack safe water while 130 million use unimproved sanitation . 1 in every 4 Nigerians defecate openly,  1 in 2 persons in the North central defecates in the open, which includes  FCT.Adamu decried the fact that access to basic water supply stands at 67.9%.
The campaign that is aimed at ending open defecation in Nigeria, said 43.5% have basic sanitation services, 76.8 in FCT has access to basic water supply, 24.5% in Abuja have hand washing services. 
He therefore urged FCTA to declare state of emergency with clear communication of State plans, participate in the national Water Sanitation and Hygiene, WASH,  fund, encourage private sector participation in the sector, and development of road maps for for elimination of  OD. It would be recalled that United Nations Children’s Fund, UNICEF, recently said  Nigeria loses about N455 billion annually on Gross Domestic Product, GDP, and as a result of poor sanitation which escalates to deaths,  stunting, malnutrition, loss of dignity, insecurity, low productivity.UNICEF also revealed that Nigeria needs estimated total N959 billion, in 10 years to address it’s challenge of Open Defecation and other sanitation issues in 10 years. Nigeria Households need N 725 billion while the three tiers of governments need N 234 billion.

 He lamented the fact that 47 million Nigerians practice open defecation, 57 million lack safe water while 130 million use unimproved sanitation . 1 in every 4 Nigerians defecate openly,  1 in 2 persons in the North central defecates in the open, which includes  FCT.Adamu decried the fact that access to basic water supply stands at 67.9%.
The on-going campaign is aimed at ending open defecation in Nigeria, since only 43.5% of the people have access to basic sanitation services in FCT; 76.8%; have access to basic water supply, while 24.5% in FCT had access to hand washing services. 
He, therefore, urged FCTA to declare state of emergency with clear communication of State plans, participate in the national Water Sanitation and Hygiene, WASH,  fund, encourage private sector participation in the sector, and development of road maps for elimination of  OD. 

It would be recalled that United Nations Children’s Fund, (UNICEF), recently said  Nigeria loses about N455 billion annually on Gross Domestic Product(GDP), as a result of poor sanitation which escalates to deaths,  stunting, malnutrition, loss of dignity, insecurity, low and productivity.

UNICEF also revealed that Nigeria needs estimated total N959 billion in 10 years to address it’s challenge of Open Defecation and other sanitation issues. Nigeria Households need N 725 billion while the three tiers of governments need N 234 billion.