Addressing Open Defecation Through Collaboration By Carl Umegboro

Ideally, open defection ought not to be an issue in Nigeria in
21^st century. Sadly, contrary to expectation, it is.
Logically, it points to bad leadership, abysmal failure of
governments for ages. Seriously, the act is a repulsively
primordial practice that cuts across all strata of society; gender,
status and careers despite its negative consequences, albeit
predominant among the underprivileged class.

Without a doubt, it sounds comical but a reality. Yes, open
defecation transcends homeless, primitive and uneducated people.
People of diverse vocations also do fall victims of unexpected
stomach upset while on journey. And most times, it is abysmally
remedied by the unwholesome practice. Of course, nobody will
bravely own up to being a perpetrator if not caught red-handed in
the jungle or witnessed by co-travelers.

And so, the odious misconduct is practiced by two groups;
circumstantial perpetrators and habitual practitioners. Whatever
the category, excreting outside toilets is open defecation. Sadly,
it begins from habitually peeing outside facilities. Of course, if
reasons are necessary, both sides possibly will adduce cogent
raison d’êtres.

For example, whilst the former may shift the blames to health
and nature, the latter will blame penury and governments’
insensitivities. But realistically, what options are available to a
traveler that is suddenly under extreme pressure to answer the call
of nature where no public conveniences exist? In most cases, any
nearby forest plays host to such victims.

The reason is simple – lack of functional and safe public
toilets in sufficient numbers at strategic locations. Hence, it
goes beyond blaming perpetrators but conscientiously, dutifully
counting the available public toilets in every neighborhood
alongside their proximities which is in the negative. For those
that don’t go on long road trips, they may still not escape it at
social outings. At most night events in public places, faeces are
often spotted littering the surrounding areas by unknown
persons.

Again, phobia of infections mostly by women majorly contributes
to open defecation where there are public toilets but uncertainty
about safety. Unfortunately, defecating in the open is critically,
hazardous than superficially believed. Suffice to say that
providing sufficient public toilets that are convincingly clean and
hygienically safe is a necessary remedy.

Abysmally, Nigeria according to global statistics currently
ranked first position in open defecation in Africa and second in
the world after India. By concerted efforts, India has practically
moved away from the position leaving Nigeria to formally step into
her shoes before the end of 2019. Funnily, Nigerian lawmakers have
been collecting outrageous allowances for constituency projects
over the years.

The big bad news! Scientific research has proven that human and
body fluids including faeces, urine, blood, vomit, spinal fluid,
and amniotic fluid can harbour a variety of diseases. In fact,
faeces can cause cholera, dysentery, diarrhea, typhoid, polio,
hepatitis and many more. It can also constitute a serious health
hazard if it gets into sources of drinking water. And World Health
Organization (WHO) reports that nearly 2.2million people die
annually by diseases caused by contaminated water.

Instructively, thoroughly hand washing after convenience is
obligatory and goes beyond getting rid of smells but hygienically,
on health ground for preventing spread of bacteria as people
frequently touch their eyes, nose, and mouth unconsciously in
addition to indiscriminate handshakes with people.

From UNICEF survey, out of 47million Nigerians who indulge in
open defecation, 16million live in the north. It also shows that
while 1 in every 4 Nigerians defecates in the open, 1 in every 2
persons in the North Central do so in the open. In percentages,
North Central got 53.9%; North East -21.8%; North West – 10.3%. In
the southern region, South East got 22.4%; South-South – 17.9%
while South West – 28.0%.

Estimably, a report shows that through UNICEF interventions,
about 1.7million people have gained access to improved water
facilities while 2.2million people have access to improved toilets.
Equally, 3,908 communities supported to become certified open
defecation free (ODF) while 1,227 schools and 599 primary
healthcare centres equipped with Water, Sanitation and Hygiene
(WASH) services. Furthermore, 2.4million people have benefited from
general hygiene promotion. Relatively, Nigeria’s population is
approximately 200million. Hence, a lot needs to be done by
governments.

Recently, President Muhammadu Buhari signaled to end open
defecation in the country by 2025. To actualize this, at least,
2million toilets must be added annually. Some state and local
governments have slightly keyed into the scheme. For emphasis, the
nuisance apart from contributing to scores of deaths of vulnerable
children who every now and then are infected with diseases,
likewise often result to their low productivity as a result of
absences in schools while ailing.

Other indirect effects of open defecation are economic loss
resulting from frequent episodes of WASH-related illnesses, loss of
dignity and high risks of insecurity and violence against women and
children in the forests. Thus, governments at all levels; federal,
state and local government needs concerted actions towards ending
the menace.  Of course, a radical approach by the government
through legal mechanism alongside zero tolerance on enforcement is
indispensable.

From the economic perspective, interventions through massive
provision of functional public toilets will robotically boost
employment opportunities in the society when public conveniences
are actively put in places across the nation. Undoubtedly, having
functional and safe toilets in proximities along highways alongside
remote areas will boost economic growth since demands for safety
and hygiene products will practically raise.

Now, the crux of the matter! Charges for using public
conveniences must be appealingly near to the ground. High fees will
discourage the masses from patronages. In other words, policymakers
must ensure that private-operators are encouraged by reducing their
overhead costs. Equally, corporate organizations should be active
players by supportively, providing public toilets as social
responsibilities. Of course, health and sanitations officials must
be regularly available for inspections to ensure compliance to WHO
standard. Thus, any realistic and sustainable action plan demands
expedient collaboration.

Umegboro is a public affairs analyst and
Associate, Chartered Institute of Arbitrators (United Kingdom).
08023184542-SMS only

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