KWSG Reaffirms Commitment to ODF Status, March Ending

The Kwara State Government has reaffirmed its commitment to ending open defecation even as Oke-Ero Local Government Area of the State is an open defecation free status, by March ending, this year. 

The Desk Officer for Water Sanitation and Hygiene (WASH), Oke-Ero Mrs. Rachael Babatunde reaffirmed this at Oke-Ero Local Government secretariat, Iloffa, during the week.

The Desk Officer assured the community that Water Sanitation and Hygiene Committee members are fully committed to completing the task by the end of this month.

In the same vein, the Head of Sanitation Department, in Rural Water Supply and Sanitation Agency (RUWASSA) Mr. Rufai AbdulAzeez, stressed the importance of collective efforts at eliminating open defecation, as the committee cannot do it  alone, adding that, appreciable progress had been made since year 2023, with five communities already certified open defecation-free.

"We aim at completing the remaining work by the end of March, as discussions have already gone with our Royal Feathers, with greater focus on engaging  WASHCOM members, to ensure job completion as promised."

To compliment this effort, Kwara State Rural Water Supply and Sanitation Agency (RUWASSA), has supported residents who built toilets but lacked resources, were assisted with building materials like cement and iron rod to complete such and have already been put to use.

 AbdulAzeez urged communities that have achieved open defecation-free status to submit official letters to Oke-Ero local government by the end of the month to confirm their status.

For those still working on completing their toilets, AbdulAzeez charged them to finish the construction and report their progress to Oke-Ero local government.

According to him, youth corp  members assigned to each community will assist in the reporting progress and facilitating the certification process, adding that,

 areas like schools, markets, and playing grounds will be key in determining the certification.

 WASHCOM representative from Odo Owa, Pastor Fatoki David stated that provisions of materials such as cement and iron rods have motivated residents to build their toilets, commending government supports at preventing people using the bush, as a toilet, which has also helped reduce the risk of snake bites in the area.

 WASHCOM member who represents Ilale community,   Mrs. Babalola Omowumi echoed similar sentiments, stating that while the people are committed to building toilets, they still need further support from the government to compliment their efforts.

In the end, WASHCOM members across Oke-Ero Local Government unanimously pledged their commitments to achieving an open defecation-free status in no distant future.

Afolabi Temple

 Press Secretary   

RUWASSA 

08146017560.