By Ahmed Ahmed
The Bauchi State Government and Development partners have committed to the construction and improvement of user-centred design toilets in public places across the state.
This is contained in a communique signed and issued by Mr Barde Gonsis at the end of a one-day validation meeting on the assessment of toilets in public places, made available to newsmen, over a weekend in Bauchi.
It said the Bauchi State Environmental Protection Agency (BASEPA) has validated the assessment report and commits to ensuring that the impact accelerator project is implemented with the design of the user-friendly toilet is actualized and sustained in the state
“The Agency commits to support the WaterAids partnership to construct and improve public toilets in motor parks and markets through a user centre design.
“That will favour women, girls and persons with disabilities. An innovation to improve hygiene, sanitation and dignity of women to be able to utilise it without difficulty,” it said.
The communique said the validation meeting was conducted with consultants who supported the process through the assessment of 54 public toilets in six Local Government areas (LGAs,) of the state
“The LGAs are Katagum, Shira, Alkaleri, Ningi, Misau and Bauchi, as part of efforts to establish a user-centred design of public toilets and end open defecation in the state.
It said the assessment was conducted by BASEPA in collaboration with the Women Development Association for Self-Sustenance (WODASS) with support from WaterAid Nigeria.
“The strategy of partnership with the government is to support the process through sustainability and ownership and also inclusion through government policies.
The Communique explains why toilets must be female-friendly and details the essential and desirable features needed to make them so.
It also suggests ways to increase gender sensitivity in town planning on sanitation and draws recommendations.
“As well as practical steps from existing literature, expert opinion, and analysis of pioneering experiences for sustainable user centre public toilets in the state,” it said
Our correspondent reports that stakeholders at the meeting staff of BASEPA and Bauchi State Rural Water Supply and Sanitation (RUWASSA) people with disabilities, Civil Society Organizations Media among others.