NAN-AE-14
Toilet
By Uche Bibilari
Gwagwalada (FCT), Nov. 1, 2016 (NAN) Some residents of Gwagwalada Area Council have urged the authorities to construct public toilets in designated places to curb the menace of open defecation.
A correspondent of the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) who spoke to some residents on Tuesday in Gwagwalada, reports that open defecation has become the norm in some areas in the council due to the absence of public toilets.
Most people are seen defecating indiscriminately in bushes, under the bridge along the Abuja-Lokoja road, and some hidden places, especially in the early hours of the day.
The respondents said that to to avoid the possible outbreak of epidemic in the council due to the practice, the provision of public toilets had become imperative.
Mr Yahaya Isah, an okada rider, admitted engaging in open defecation, saying that he found it difficult to go home anytime wanted to use the toilet.
Isah therefore, urged the government to provide public toilets and charge little token for the use of such facilities.
“I want the government to build toilets in some places and employ people to clean and manage them
“It will be more convenient to use the facilities instead of coming out for work and going back anytime one needed to use the toilet.
“I know that defecating outside is not good but there is nothing I can do about it,” Isah said.
Another resident, Mr Ephraim Idoko, also said he was guilty of the act, adding that he preferred open defecation rater than using a public toilet, even if it was provided.
According to him, ensuring the cleanliness of such facilities is more important than just providing them.
“I cannot use a public toilet because that is the easiest place you can get infection; I cannot share a toilet with too many people.
“I prefer to defecate in the open although I know it is not hygienic but it will be better that contracting a disease after using the toilet,’’ he said.
Also commenting on the issue, Mrs Comfort Agu, a Civil Servant, said it was embarrassing that people were still engaging in open defecation in the 21st century.
Agu urged the government to provide public toilets in some strategic places in the council and penalise anyone caught defecating in the open.
According to her, some areas are so messed up with faeces that one could hardly pass through the roads without being overwhelmed with the stench.
Agu said that with open defection on the increase, the council was faced with the risk of an outbreak of epidemic.
“The government should do their part by providing public toilets first, then penalise anyone caught defecating in the open.
“People should learn to do the right thing; I do not see the reason while someone will leave his home and go outside to defecate.
She said that the council officials should engage in the inspection of homes and penalise landlords who built houses without providing toilet facilities. (NAN)
UU/NKO/NKO
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Edited by Nkechi Okoronkwo