The Oyo State Government has issued a stern warning, promising to take firm action against individuals found engaging in open defecation and indiscriminate dumping of refuse.
The State Commissioner for Information and Orientation, Dotun Oyelade, delivered this message during a two-day media dialogue on achieving open defecation-free status in the South-West States, held in Ibadan, the capital of Oyo State.
Oyelade emphasized that penalizing open defecation and haphazard refuse disposal is a part of the state’s strategy to meet the national objective of eradicating open defecation in Nigeria by 2027.
He stated, “The state Governor, Seyi Makinde, has unequivocally mandated the Ministry of Justice to ensure the prosecution of anyone who dumps refuse or defecates openly. The penalty, when fully enforced, will encourage a change in citizens’ hygiene practices and reduce open defecation.”
The government is committed to promoting behavioral change in open defecation and is collaborating with UNICEF’s Water, Sanitation, and Hygiene action plan. Oyo State has adopted the WASH action plan and is willing to support it with legislation if necessary. Law enforcement agencies will also play their part in enforcing these measures.
Oyelade expressed concern about Nigeria’s high rate of open defecation, which has overtaken Egypt, and affirmed that the government is determined to address this issue effectively.
The government plans to improve sanitation practices and reduce diseases in the state by 2027. Residents are encouraged to use government-approved waste management services and refrain from open defecation. The government intends to erect billboards at key locations and entry points to deter environmental infractions and educate the public about penalties for violating sanitation norms.
UNICEF WASH Specialist Monday Johnson shared that, according to the National Bureau of Statistics, approximately 48 million Nigerians practice open defecation. Oyo State has one of the highest rates of unhygienic practices in the southwest. UNICEF praised the state for taking proactive measures to eliminate open defecation.
The government’s commitment to curbing open defecation underscores the importance of addressing public health and sanitation concerns in Nigeria.