Executive Order 009: Nigeria’s open defecation problem requires policy action [Pulse Contributor's Opinion]

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According to United Nations Children Fund (UNICEF) figures, about 46 million Nigerians practice open defecation. This statistics puts Nigeria second after India in the world ranking of countries with such unhealthy practice. UNICEF’s survey found out that only 11 of the 774 local government areas in Nigeria are free from open defecation. This is indeed not a good rating for the giant of Africa. Nigeria clearly has an open defecation problem that needs urgent attention. President Muhammadu Buhari in November 2019 signed the ‘ Executive Order 009 to End Open Defecation in Nigeria by 2025’ towards ending open defecation. Executive Order 009 empowers the Federal Ministry of Water resources to implement this order, acting on behalf of the president, by ensuring that all public places like schools, markets, hotels, and fuel stations, places of worship, hospitals and offices have accessible toilets and latrines within their premises. Open defecation is a problem that requires government to not just formulate policies but also ensure the implementation of such policies. Also beyond policy formulation, the government must create an enabling environment for the private sector to come in. Private companies can build toilet facilities for public institutions and collect affordable fees from people who make use of them. Another measure that will aid the drive to end open defecation is to fully enforce the ban on consumption of hard drugs because most drug addicts practice open defecation. Furthermore, Nigeria’s National Assembly should make laws with adequate punishment for open defecation as this will serve as a deterrent. My first personal experience with open defecation was came when I was posted to Ekiti for my National Youth Service Corps (NYSC). My place of primary assignment was Otun-Ekiti in Moba LGA of the state. I was also the corps member's liaison officer for the LGA. It was not long before I discovered that many residents of the community defecated in nylon bags which they throw into gutters. Others defecated in nearby bushes. One could hardly breathe at the local council’s largest market (Odo Oja), which played host to traders from Ilorin and Ibadan, because of the stench coming out from the bushes surrounding the market which had no functional toilet facility. Recognizing the need to solve the immediate problem of my host community, I decided to build a toilet facility at the market. With hope that the project will reduce open defecation in the community, I reached out to the stakeholders. The Oore of Moba land, Oba Adekunle Adeagbo, Ilufemiloye 1, Oore of Otun-Ekiti and Permanent Chairman of council of Obas and chiefs in Moba LGA provided financial, moral support and gave royal blessings towards the execution of the project. I also got support from The Moba Legislative Assembly and the local government NYSC Inspector. The 2025 deadline for ending open defecation in Nigeria remains sacrosanct and we must all join hands together to end the scourge. I have contributed my quota. You should take action too. -----
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About the author: Nwokedi Chiemezuo Emmanuel is a National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) member serving in Otun, Ekiti State. He is the corps members' liaison officer for Moba local government area (LGA) of the state.