The Lagos State Government has declared that a special Task Force named “Anti-Open Defecation Gang” has been constituted to arrest those who engage in open urination and defecation across the state.
This was disclosed on Thursday, November 19, 2020 during the flagging off of the “Clean Lagos: Use The Toilet Campaign” during the celebration of the Y2020 World Toilet Day held at Onigbongbo Motor park, Ojota Onigbongbo Motor park, Ojota.
Speaking at the event, Honourable Commissioner for Environment and Water Resources, Mr. Tunji Bello stated that the special task force will arrest and arraign defaulters before a Magistrate Court for prosecution.
Bello who was represented by the Permanent Secretary, office of Environmental Services, Mrs Aderonke Odeneye, said the theme for the year 2020 World Toilet Day Celebration: “Sustainable Sanitation and Climate Change” is apt and serves as a reminder of the importance of the Sustainable Sanitation process, alongside Clean water and handwashing facilities.
The commissioner said the flag-off of the “Clean Nigeria: Use The Toilet” campaign was in furtherance of efforts to ensure that all public places, including schools, hotels, fuel stations, places of worship, market places, hospitals and offices have accessible toilets and latrines within their premises for public use”, stressing that the attitude of the citizenry in the usage and maintenance of the facilities had been very poor.
“In addition to the already constructed public toilet facilities, the State Government will be placing mobile toilets in strategic locations, upgrade the already existing toilet facilities to encourage patronage and partner with donors, individuals and corporate organizations in the management and maintenance of these facilities.” He added.
He further explained that this would help protect and maintain health security and stop the spread of deadly infectious diseases such as Diarrhoea, Cholera, Typhoid and the most recent, Covid-19, ravaging the entire world and threatening human existence.
He also enjoined Lagosians to join the state crusade of attaining a cleaner, healthier, functional and sustainable environment, capable of promoting economic growth and well-being of the entire citizenry.
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