By; SULAIMAN AHMED MISAU, Katsina Katsina State Rural Water Supply and Sanitation Agency (RUWASSA) has said that outbreak of diseases has reduced drastically in 24 local government area declared Open Defecation Free (ODF).
Executive Director of the agency, Alhaji Aminu Dayyabu-Safana said that there is also a level of ‘compliance’ and ‘sustainability’ in the certified communities across the affected local government areas.
In recognition of these achievements, he said, Katsina RUWASSA was honoured as the best performing agency in Nigeria in terms of sanitation during the just-concluded summit on World Toilet Day, 2022, in Abuja.
He explained that, the summit provided avenue for the relevant stakeholders in sanitation sector to create awareness on the use of toilets and the need for having clean environment in the world.
The executive director said that with improvement in the fight against insecurity challenges, the remaining local governments would also be certified ODF. hopefully by the first quarter of 2023, he added.
He further emphasised the need for the ODF certified local governments to continue to strive to sustain their status. Alhaji Dauyabu-Safana said that the agency has already put in place necessary structures that would enable them to ensure sustainability.
He noted that, they would continue to enlighten the public on the importance of clean environment and dangers associated with open defecation.
Dayyabu-Safana further explained that, they would also continue to collaborate with all stakeholders to scale up water and sanitation services in primary healthcare centres, schools, markets and other public places.
He reiterated that, “attaining ODF is a milestone, while sustainability is the keyword; we will engage Imams and Pastors to preach sermons on Fridays and Sundays, on the importance of using toilets and maintaining clean environment.”
