With the target to end open Defecation by the year 2025, Nigerians have been urged to change their behaviour first, before that goal can be achieved.
The Executive Director of a Non-Governmental Organisation, Toilet Kulture Initiative (TKI), Elsie Ozika speaking in an exclusive interview with Health TV news crew said, stakeholders in the sector also needs to continue creating awareness on the need to stop open defecation.
She decried the fact that the pandemic, flood and other issues are compounding the problems but however stated that intensifying awareness should not stop despite the health challenges ravaging the country.
Ozika said for the issue of open defecation to be drastically dealt with about one million toilets needs to be built and water provided to be able to cater for the need of the problem.
The TKI Executive Director said sanitation is not just the job of the government but everyone’s duty to ensure that they clean up the environment and sensitize people on the dangers open defecation poses to their health as a people.
She commended the government and some non-governmental organisations for their efforts so far but said more needs to be done.
She added that the concentration given to the COVID-19 pandemic should likewise be given to open defecation because they are connected as they all require washing of hands and living a healthy lifestyle.
