Toilets
By Mohammed Ahmed Kaigama
Dass (Bauchi State), Aug. 2, 2018 (NAN) Mr Yohanna Mbula, the Chairman of people with disabilities in Bogoro Local Government Area of Bauchi State, on Thursday, urged government and philanthropists to build toilets for disabled persons in public facilities.
He made the call in an interview with News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Dass Local Government Area.
He said “we are calling on government at all levels and philanthropists to build toilets for disabled persons in public facilities such as markets, schools, Churches, Mosques, institutions and auto
parks.”
According to him, toilets for people with disability must be big enough to allow them to maneuver in it without difficulty.
“There must be ample space to move around in the wheelchair within the facility.
“Toilet bowls in a disabled toilet must be located at an appropriate height for easy transfer from wheelchairs.
“Wash basins should be at an accessible height for individuals in wheelchairs to reach,” he said
Mbula lamented that access to public toilets had often constituted a barrier for people living with disabilities, noting that “I know of many people with disabilities who plan their travel and activities around where they have access to public toilets.
“It is just one of the barriers that people with disabilities experience in the society.”
He stressed the need for extra effort to ensure cleanliness of disabled public toilets if any in public facilities.
He said “wheelchair-ridden individuals often have to touch fixtures, walls and doors; therefore it is very important that these areas are always clean and dry for the sake of hygiene.”
He urged politicians and policy makers to give Water Sanitation and Hygiene (WASH) a priority.
The chairman advised the electorate to demand for sustainable Water and Sanitation and Hygiene projects in their communities.
“Sustainable water sanitation and hygiene in our communities will reduce common diseases and improve health in communities,” he said (NAN)
MAK/NNO/HA
============
Edited by Nick Nicholas/Hadiza Mohammed-Aliyu