Jigawa Gov’t Explains How It Spent N500 Million On Public Toilets

The Jigawa State government has revealed that it spent N500 million towards the implementation of enhanced latrines in educational institutions, medical facilities, commercial centres, and transportation hubs throughout the state.

The state Commissioner for Water Resources, Alhaji Ibrahim Hannungiwa, disclosed this during a press conference held in Dutse on Wednesday, Naija News reports.

Hannungiwa emphasized that the government has taken proactive measures to ensure the long-term sustainability of Jigawa’s status as an Open Defecation Free (ODF) state. He further stated that the state is committed to surpassing the national ODF target by the year 2025.

The achievement of this milestone, according to Hannungiwa, is a result of the diligent implementation of effective policies and programs in collaboration with the Federal Ministry of Water Resources and the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF).

The Commissioner said the state had set up a committee to work out modalities for the sustainability of its ODF status by ensuring total eradication of the menace.

“Under this committee, more standard public convinces would be provided at public places and along highways in the state.

“The state government has done a lot in the area of public enlightenment on the importance of using toilets, especially in rural communities.

“Jigawa state is the first and the only state so far declared Open Defecation Free in the country by the UNICEF,” he said, adding that the UN Agency appointed the state governor, Umar Namadi, as ODF Ambassador.

He noted that the governor is expected to deliver a paper on the Nigerian situation in the fight against ODF, at a conference billed to hold in Canada.