By Ahmed Ahmed
The Clean Nigeria Campaign (CNC) has on Wednesday declared that 102 Local Government Areas LGAs were now open defecation free (ODF) in Nigeria, just as Bauchi took the lead in the NorthEast region with 7 LGAs ODF.
Mrs Opara Ngozi, National Coordinator Clean Nigeria Campaign stated this at the 2 day 2023 North East Review Meeting in Bauchi.
She lauded the multi-sectoral platform involving line ministries, agencies, NGO network and the media, has certified and declared Local Government Areas as open defecation free.
“As at July ,2023, 102 open defecation free (ODF) LGAs have been recorded, while this is a good progress.
“It is not significant enough to put as a course to our national target of an ODF Nigeria by 2025.
“Also, the spread of the 102 ODF LGAs is limited to 14 out of the 36 States and FCT, this means that 22 States and FCT have not been able to contribute any ODF LGAs to the National Statistics,”
She explained that in the North East Zone, Bauchi has taken the lead on the clean Nigeria Campaign over time with seven LGAs declared ODF and another local government area on the verge.
It is worthy of note that the best results for the Clean Nigeria Campaign so far in the North East is from Bauchi state.
“Also,to be noted is that the entire North East has recorded 10 LGAs Open Defecation Free with Bauchi leading with 7 LGAs out 20 LGAs followed by Borno 2 and Yobe 1,” she said.
Our correspondent reports that the review meeting 2023 is with the theme “Clean Nigeria use the toilet,”.
Earlier, Alhaji Adamu Sabo, General Manager Bauchi State Rural Water Supply and Sanitation Agency (RUWASSA) said the objective of the North East review meeting was to share experience and challenges from each other States to know the way forward.
He said since the commencement of the campaign, there had been a series of measures adopted towards achieving the target.
“We achieved ODF in seven LGAs that include Warji, Ganjuwa , Gamawa, Toro , Bogoro, Shira and Dass and very soon one LGA will be declared ODF.,” He said.
He commended Gov Bala Mohammed for converting the Water Sanitation and Hygiene (WASH) unit of LGAs to Departments to enable it to function well and achieve the 2025 ODF free state.
UNICEF representative, Mr Uba Lawal said the review meeting is timely as 2025 is near,urging the States to step up their clean Nigeria Campaign strategies to achieve the ODF target.