Oyo State Government Partners UNICEF To Eradicate Open Defecation

By Akinwale Kasali

With the aim of eradicating Open Defecation in Oyo State, the Oyo State Rural Water Supply and Sanitation Agency, OYORUWASSA, has partnered with UNICEF and LIXIL representatives from Kenya to ensure SATO PAN Toilets are installed across the state, towards eliminating open defecation in the State by 2028.

Before now, the World Health Organisation, WHO, had rated Nigeria as one of the Top 20 Countries in the World that still practice Open Defecation.

Inspecting some Egbeda and Ona Ara Communities in Ibadan axis where this initiatives will begin, Hon. Babalola Afobaje, Chairman of the Agency commended the Executive Governor of the State, Seyi Makinde and UNICEF for their unwavering support in fostering a clean and healthy environment, particularly for children.

Afobaje assured that the agency’s sanitation efforts would benefit both urban and rural residents, promoting the use of SATO PAN toilets to achieve this goal.

Speaking also during the inspection, the General Manager, OYORUWASSA,  Adeduntan Mumeen, stressed the importance of SATO PAN toilets as a swift solution to the open defecation challenge

He reiterated that Oyo State would attain open defecation-free status through the collaborative efforts of all relevant stakeholders.

UNICEF WASH Specialist, Monday Johnson, emphasized that increased access to SATO PAN toilets would lead to a healthier environment and ultimately end open defecation in the state.

He urged stakeholders to educate the public on the benefits of maintaining a clean environment and praised OYORUWASSA, LGAs, and Toilet Business Owners,TBOs, for their contributions to this cause.

Similarly, representative from LIXIL Organisation, Samuel Langat stated that the use of SATO PAN toilets is essential for living in a clean environment.

Langat said that the team’s visit was aimed at engaging critical stakeholders and Toilets business owners, TBOs, regarding the sales, installation, and usage of SATO products.

He added that by 2030, everyone should have access to smart toilets through the use of SATO products.