The Honourable Minister of Water Resources and Sanitation, Engr. Prof. Joseph Terlumun Utsev, has emphasized the imperative of concerted efforts in combating open defecation across Nigeria, during a courtesy visit by delegates from Chad on Tuesday 14th May, 2024 in Abuja.
Represented by the Permanent Secretary, Alhaji Shehu Aliyu Shinkafi, Prof. Utsev underscored the vital role of state governors, religious, traditional, and opinion leaders in driving the campaign against open defecation, aiming to achieve Open Defecation Free (ODF) status in Nigeria by 2025.
The meeting, held at the Conference Room of the Ministry, focused on sharing insights on successful sanitation programs, particularly Nigeria’s Clean Nigeria Campaign, to aid Chad’s own campaign against open defecation.
Addressing the gathering, the Honourable Minister highlighted ongoing initiatives such as the PEWASH (Partnership for Expanded Water Supply, Sanitation, and Hygiene) program, SURWASH (Sustainable Rural Water Supply and Sanitation) initiative, and SchoolWASH programs. He stressed the importance of extensive sensitization campaigns and community engagement in achieving ODF status.
Commending Jigawa state for being certified open defecation-free, Prof. Utsev urged lagging states to adopt the Clean Nigeria Campaign, expressing the ministry’s commitment to collaborate closely with state governments for its success. He emphasised the collective responsibility in ensuring LGAs are declared open defecation free.
In response, the Permanent Secretary of Chad’s Ministry of Water Resources, Ignabe Padacke, lauded Prof. Terlumun and his team for their unwavering dedication towards making Nigeria open defecation-free.
Funmi Imuetinyan
Director Press and Public Relations
Email: fmwrpressunit@gmail.com
Website: waterresources.gov.ng