Press Release
BUHARI TO SIGN EXECUTIVE ORDER TO END OPEN DEFECATION IN NIGERIA
The Honourable Minister of Water Resources, Engr. Suleiman H. Adamu FNSE, FAEng has said that President Muhammadu Buhari will soon sign an Executive Order aimed at stopping open defecation across the length and breadth of Nigeria.
Engineer Adamu made this disclosure during the Ministerial Press Briefing held on Friday 15th November, in Abuja to acquaint the Journalists about the Federal Government’s actions and programmes towards the National launch and flag – off of the Clean Nigeria: Use the Toilet Campaign scheduled to be performed by President Muhammadu Buhari on Tuesday, 19th November, 2019 at Eagle Square by 11am in Abuja.
The Minister noted that about 47 million people practice open defecation with Nigeria occupying number one position in Africa and number two in the world after India. He emphasized that “open defecation is a bad practice and should be stopped”. He urged Nigerians to adopt a behavioural and cultural changes towards hygiene promotion. The changes will go a long way at curbing the menace of open defecation in the country and ultimately stop it before the set target year of 2025.
The Minister along with some Journalists displayed the Clean Nigeria: Use the Toilet Campaign Logo which will be launched by Mr. President.
Engr. Adamu assured Nigerians that government would do everything to ensure that the practice is stopped. “We are hoping that once the campaign gets into minds of people, our job is done, when the communities begin to see that this is not right, their behaviour will change.”
He noted that some State Governors have started making legislation against open defecation while appealing to Government at all levels to provide basic facilities to achieve Open Defecation Free Nigeria by 2025.
Kenechukwu Offie (Mrs.)
Director (Information)
16th November,2019.