FLASH POINT

By Shehu usman Yahaya , Kaduna

The Kaduna state government has officially declared nine Local Government Areas (LGAs) Open defecation free (ODF), marking a significant milestone in the state’s efforts to improve public health. 

This achievement was announced in partnership with UNICEF, highlighting the success of ongoing sanitation programs in the state.

At an event in Kaduna, government officials, community leaders, and representatives from international organizations gathered to celebrate the validation of the nine LGAs, which account for nearly 40% of the state’s population. The move is part of the state’s strategy to completely eradicate open defecation by 2025.

Kaduna’s deputy governor, Dr. Hadiza Balarabe, expressed the state government’s commitment to achieving a statewide ODF status within the set timeline. 

“Open defecation leaves our communities exposed to preventable diseases, and this milestone shows that progress is being made. However, we must accelerate efforts to ensure that the remaining LGAs also reach ODF status,” she said.

UNICEF Country Representative, Cristian Munduate, commended the state for its progress but emphasized the need for continued action. 

“With over 600,000 people still practicing open defecation in Kaduna State, there’s more work to be done. We are dedicated to supporting the state’s mission to achieve 0% open defecation,” he noted.

The declaration of these nine LGAs as ODF is seen as a critical step towards improving public health and reducing diseases linked to poor sanitation, such as diarrhea, which remains a leading cause of child mortality in Nigeria. 

In her remarks, the state WASH scribe, Madam Theresa Pama said the objective of the ceremony was to ginger the local governments that are yet to achieve the ODF statue to gear effort towards achieving the statue as the state government through RUWASSA will continue to work towards ensuring that the whole state become an ODF state.