Oyo State Agency Joins Forces with Traditional Leaders to Eradicate Open Defecation in Ibarapa East
The Oyo State Rural Water Supply and Sanitation Agency (RUWASSA) has initiated a collaborative effort with traditional institutions aimed at eliminating open defecation in the Ibarapa zone of the state.
Mr. Adeduntan Mumeen Adeniyi, General Manager of RUWASSA, made this declaration during a sensitization workshop on WASH Implementation held at Plaza de Aruna, Oyo, focusing on Ibarapa East Local Government.
The workshop was strategically designed to steer the state towards achieving Open Defecation Free (ODF) status and enhanced sanitation by 2025, through the WASH project supported by UNICEF.
Emphasizing the importance of the program, Mr. Adeniyi highlighted its potential to reduce water and sanitation-related diseases, particularly in rural areas of the state.
He reaffirmed the commitment of the Oyo State Government, led by His Excellency, Engineer Seyi Makinde FNSE, to eradicate open defecation across every corner of the state.
The General Manager emphasized that the workshop, organized in partnership with UNICEF, aimed to sensitize critical stakeholders on WASH implementation in Ibarapa East Local Government.
Mr. Adeniyi urged all stakeholders in Ibarapa East to embrace WASH activities and take ownership of the program’s sustainability in their locality.
He called upon traditional leaders to implement punitive measures against households failing to construct latrines within a specified timeframe for family use.
In response, High Chief Olatunji Samuel, representing community leaders, assured full support towards achieving the set objectives, affirming that it would elevate the State and Ibarapa East by ensuring an open defecation-free environment.
Furthermore, Mr. Monday Johnson, a WASH Specialist from UNICEF, projected Ibarapa East to attain Open Defecation Free (ODF) status within the next six months and encouraged other local government areas to adopt similar policies, focusing on behavioral change towards ODF implementation.
Mr. Johnson clarified UNICEF’s role, emphasizing that the community holds ownership of the project, with UNICEF providing educational resources rather than constructing toilets directly.
He disclosed that UNICEF has facilitated the ODF program in Ibarapa East LGA with two motorcycles, which Oyo RUWASSA will administer.
In a separate development, Mr. Gbenga Gbadebo, Executive Chairman of Ibarapa East Local Government, pledged to establish a dedicated WASH Unit and provide logistics support for the project. He also committed to educating the populace on the significance of WASH.
The local government plans to allocate land for the WASH project and establish WASH units and appoint desk officers for effective implementation.
E-signed:
Prince Dotun Oyelade, Commissioner for Information, Oyo State.
April 6, 2024.
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