The Nasarawa State Government said it partnered private investors to provide toilets in public places to end open defecation in the state.

Permanent Secretary, state Ministry of Environment and Natural Resources,  Garba Rosha-Mohammed, disclosed this on Saturday in Lafia while briefing journalists after the January sanitation exercise.

Mr Rosha-Mohammed was represented by the Chief Prosecutor Officer and Director of Enforcement and Prosecution of sanitation exercise of the ministry, Abubakar Mohammed.

Mr Rosha-Mohammed stated that the state government had keyed into the plans of the Federal Government to end open defecation by 2030.

He said, “The partnership is a major step towards achieving the country’s open defecation-free by 2030. Already, two public toilets are under construction in Lafia, in strategic places and we want to have about 30 of them in the capital alone. We have public toilets in markets and motor parks, and we have put measures on ground to ensure that high hygiene practices are maintained to guarantee the safety of users.’’

He decried the lack of access to toilets, saying it was a major challenge with serious implications for public health and environmental sustainability.

 According to the permanent secretary, the partnership is a demonstration of Governor Abdullahi Sule of Nasarawa State’s commitment to addressing the challenge and providing a better life for the citizens.

 He said, “The toilets will be maintained and managed by the private sector partner, with the government providing regulatory oversight. The partnership is expected to create jobs, stimulate economic growth, and improve the overall quality of life for the people of the state.’’

 Mr Rosha-Mohammed called on members of the public to ensure provision of toilet facilities in their houses to avoid sanctions.

 He also expressed satisfaction with the level of compliance by the residents of the state during the sanitation.

 He, however, said that 215 defaulters were apprehended across the 13 Local Government Areas of the state for transacting their private businesses during the exercise.

 Mr Rosha-Mohammed called on members of the public to always keep their environment clean to curb disease outbreaks.

 He added, “If the environment is kept clean, it will guard against a possible outbreak of any disease, thereby ensuring improved and healthy living of the people.’’

(NAN)