Lawmaker Assures RUWASSA of Commitment to Ending Open Defecation

A member representing Ilorin East constituency at the Kwara State House of Assembly, Hon Arinola Fatima Lawal has promised to work with the leadership of the House to enact laws that will prohibit open defecation to ensure cleaner and healthier environment.

The lawmaker who gave the assurance when he received the General Manager of the Kwara State Rural Water Supply and Sanitation Agency (RUWASSA), Mr Olorunfemi Oladipo who led management of the Agency on a courtesy call to her at the Assembly complex, told them that she is working on a bill that seek to put an end to open defecation.

She further explained that effort is afoot by her and some lawmakers to ensure that open defecation become a thing of the past across the state.

She also commended Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq’s efforts in advancing the Water Supply and Sanitation Agency (WASH) programs and projects.

Hon Lawal who highlighted danger inherent in the open defecation, suggested that all hands must be on deck to combat the habit in the state.

Her words:"Public awareness and legislative support in the fight against open defecation are crucial and we are going to do that".

The General Manager of the Agency, Mr Olorunfemi Oladipo, had earlier in his remarks sought for collaboration with the House of Assembly to end open defecation across the 16 Local Government Areas of the state.

Mr. Oladipo, who highlighted the importance of collaboration with the legislators, noted that the members representing various constituencies were well-positioned to address local challenges.

The General Manager also  informed the lawmaker about the agency's several engagements with various stakeholders across the 16 Local Government Areas in the state on ways to end open defecation.

He explained that efforts are currently underway in Oke-Ero, Ilorin West, Ilorin South, and Ekiti Local Government Areas on ending open defecation, expressing optimism that by the end of this month, significant progress would be made in eradicating open defecation in these Local Government Areas.

He further emphasized that the responsibility of eradicating open defecation solely rests with RUWASSA and acknowledged the support of Governor AbdulRazaq’s administration for driving significant achievements in water and sanitation projects.

According to him,"Under this administration, several public toilets have been built in strategic locations, including markets and educational institutions.

"Additionally, the agency has facilitated the construction of boreholes to improve water supply in local communities."

Oladipo therefore,  called for the establishment of the Water, Sanitation, and Hygiene (WASH) department in all the 16 Local Government Areas.

He further explained that the deadline for eradicating open defecation that had earlier set for 2025, had now been extended to 2030. 

He maintained that the agency aims at  achieving this goal ahead of schedule time with the focus on the 16 Local Government Areas of the state.

The General Manager told the lawmaker that six communities in Oke-Ero Local Government Area had already achieved Open Defecation-Free status.

He emphasized that the collaboration between RUWASSA, the House of Assembly, and Local Government Areas aims to fully eradicate open defecation in Kwara State in order to ensure a cleaner and healthier environment for all residents

It would be recalled that the Rural Water Supply and Sanitation Agency (RUWASSA), had earlier wrote to the House of Assembly members about the issue of open defecation in the state

Afolabi Temple

Press Secretary

RUWASSA

08146017560.