By: Monday Danladi, Bauchi
WaterAid Nigeria has urged government at all levels to invest in safe, inclusive, and climate-resilient sanitation systems and facilities.
This is as the World commemorates World Toilet Day 2024. The theme for this year: “Toilets – A Place for Peace.” emphasizes the need for stakeholders to take necessary steps to safeguard sanitation systems and toilets from the threats that render them either unsafe or inaccessible to communities affecting including men, women, children, people with disabilities, and those living in humanitarian crises.
WaterAid Nigeria stated that, “In Nigeria, more than half of the population currently lacks access to a decent toilet of their own, a critical gap that impedes health, dignity, and economic development. WaterAid has been working closely with the Nigerian government at both national and subnational levels to drive transformative change.”
It added that,”We have supported the development and modelling of sanitation facilities, and operation and maintenance structures, that are inclusive, climate-resilient, safe, and accessible to all. This is to ensure sustainability, while promoting these solutions to be effectively scaled across the country.”
“In Bauchi, with support from Who Gives a Crap, and in partnership with the State government, WaterAid recently constructed a user-friendly sanitation facility. The toilet is one of six (6) models co-created with government and community stakeholders through a user-centred design approach process,” It added.
According to WaterAid Nigeria,”These facilities, designed based on user feedback, accommodate the needs of men, women, persons with disabilities, mothers with young children, and youth in high-traffic public places like marketplaces and motor parks.”
“Endorsed by the Bauchi State Government, these models will inform the construction of all future public toilets in the state, ensuring accessibility and safety. The model toilet facility being commissioned today as part of the activities to commemorate the World Toilet Day 2024 will serve as a reference model for replication and upscaling by government, the private sector, and other partners in the state,”It added.
Evelyn Mere, Country Director for WaterAid Nigeria, said:”Sanitation systems and facilities are facing threats from conflict, climate change impacts, disasters, and neglect with negative effects on public health, safety and wellbeing. Stakeholders must therefore invest in research, innovations and technology that will result in systems, designs, construction materials and infrastructure that are resilient to the shocks and guarantee sustainable service,” As contained in a statement by WaterAid Nigeria.
