Ogun State government has criminalised open urination and defecation as part of measures to put permanent stop to open defecation in the state.
The State Commissioner for Environment, Mr. Ola Oresanya, made the announcement while handing over four new public toilets with bio-digesters to various communities in the border towns of Berger, Isheri, Warewa and Magboro.
These communities are along the Lagos-Ibadan Expressway. The donations are part of programme to commemorate this year’s World Toilet Day.
The toilets which brings to 20 the number of public toilets in the area, and 80 statewide, is to put a permanent stop to open defecation and make the state open defecation-free.
Oresanya said criminalising open urination and defecation in the state aids the attainment of SDG Goal 6, which involves water accessibility, sanitation and hygiene for all.
Also, he said, it signals the commencement of massive enforcement and tough punishments for offenders of open defecation in the state.
These, he said, will further enhance aesthetic beauty of the environment and promote the well-being of the residents.
On his part, Adeyinka Oyediran who partnered with the state government to build the Magboro public toilet, said the toilet will not only eradicate open defecation, but also reduce communicable diseases in the area.
Also speaking, Abdulmalik Audu, a trader from Kara market enjoined those in the market to patronise the toilet situated in the area and stop the open defecation which the state government is determined to eradicate for a more conducive environment.