The Minister of Water Resources, Suleiman Adamu, has said that for Nigeria to make progress in the open defecation-free campaign, states must show political will by keying into the system.
Adamu, who spoke at the ongoing Nigeria Media Water Week in Abuja on Tuesday, said only few states had inaugurated their roadmap towards ending the open defecation practice.
The minister, who advised that Federal Government’s policies should be implemented by the states, said that “State governments need to key into these programmes. What we are saying is that the key to the success of this open defecation campaign is with how much state actors are willing to prioritise it to give it all the political support that it is getting at the national level.
“If the political will at the national level is similarly obtained at the state level, I think we can quickly get rid of this problem, but if we at the national level are driving a programme and it is not getting the same push at the state and local government levels, then that is a huge challenge.’’
The minister stated that annually, the ministry, in partnership with development partners, brought out the Water, Sanitation Routine Mapping survey to ensure progress.
“We are monitoring how much states have fared in terms of improving access to potable water and toilets, hand washing and we share it with the states.
“I believe that at some point, Civil Society Organizations may come on board, naming and shaming activities may begin to unfold just the same way it is happening in India.
“Kids were given whistles, if they found anyone defecating openly, they would blow the whistles and harass them to stop. That was how the ODF was achieved.’’
(NAN).
