Oyo state government says in a bid to put an end to the spate of open defecation in the state, it will continue to engage the private sector to improved hygiene and sanitation system in the state.
Chairman Oyo state Gaming Board Olajide Boladuro gave the assurance while donating toilet facilities and potable to communities in Ibadan.
According to the 2021 Water, Sanitation and Hygiene National Outcome Routine Mapping, about 48 million Nigerians still practice open defecation.
This according to the report is due to the lack of toilets facilities and inadequate water supply in rural areas which usually leads to illness and death among children.
To stem this tide, the Oyo gaming Board has partnered with a private firm to provide modern toilet facilities and potable water to communities, motor parks and students residential areas in Ibadan.
Chairman of the gaming Board appealed to residents, traders and other beneficiaries of the initiative to promote the culture of good sanitation and proper hygiene.
He wants them to utilise the facilities judiciously.
The facilities were provided to traders in Ojoo Market, Bodija Market, Iwo Park Garage, and University of Ibadan students Residential Area.
Open defecation has been a major challenge across Nigeria and most of Sub-Sahara Africa with the vast majority of people having no or limited access to Toilet facilities.
Oyo State has been pointed out and rated as one of the major culprits in the phenomenon of Open defecation in Nigeria and the decision to partner a private organisation according to experts is a welcome development and the way to go.
This will also ensure that places who are hitherto known for being headquarters of Open Defecation in the State capital, Ibadan are kept clean.
Places like Gege, Orita Merin, major markets like Bodija, Ogunpa, Dugbe and Aleshinloye and the University of Ibadan who will all benefit and make the State and the City of Ibadan cleaner.
