‘88,000 practice open defecation; epidemic looms’ – Cross River LG raises alarm
By Emma Una, Calabar
The Chairman of Yala Local Government Area in Cross River State, Dr. Fred Okem, has expressed concern over the increasing rate of open defecation among residents, warning that the practice could trigger a public health crisis if urgent measures are not taken.
Dr. Okem made the remarks while presenting the Cross River State Open Defecation Law to councillors for adoption as a local by-law.
According to him, the widespread practice of open defecation has contributed significantly to the prevalence of waterborne diseases in the area. He cautioned that once the six-month grace period provided by the law expires, households without toilet facilities would face legal sanctions.
“Yala was among the first local government areas in Nigeria to achieve Open Defecation Free (ODF) status in 2018. Unfortunately, that achievement has declined over the years, and today nearly 90 percent of residents have returned to the practice of open defecation,” he said.
He added that the council is determined to restore Yala’s ODF status by ensuring that every household, school, and marketplace has access to proper toilet facilities.
The council chairman disclosed that the local government is partnering with Toilet Pride Initiative to provide affordable sanitation facilities for residents. He urged community members to support efforts aimed at constructing toilets and ending open defecation across the area.
While noting that human waste is often regarded as manure and a food source for certain animals and birds, he stressed that it also harbours dangerous bacteria and disease-causing organisms responsible for illnesses such as cholera and guinea worm.
“Human waste contains harmful pathogens that pose serious health risks. For the safety of our people, this practice must be stopped,” he stated.
Also speaking, the General Manager of the Cross River State Rural Water and Sanitation Agency (RUWATSA), Sunday Ebeku, said Governor Bassey Otu recently signed the Open Defecation Law alongside other sanitation regulations aimed at improving environmental hygiene and public health across the state.
He called on residents to support the government’s sanitation initiatives, emphasizing that public cooperation is essential for their success.
Ebeku observed that many people living along riverbanks dispose of human waste directly into rivers and surrounding areas, contaminating water sources used for domestic purposes.
“During rainfall, the waste is washed into the water, which many people rely on for drinking and other household activities. Though the water may appear clean, it can contain harmful contaminants that cause serious health problems,” he warned.
He further stated that after the six-month grace period, individuals caught defecating in open spaces and households without toilet facilities would be prosecuted in accordance with the law.
Ebeku encouraged residents to take advantage of affordable toilet schemes and loan facilities being offered through partner financial institutions to install sanitation facilities in their homes.
He noted that Yala in Cross River State and Makoda Local Government Area in Kano State are the two pilot locations selected by Toilet Pride Initiative for the programme.
“We are fortunate to be among the beneficiaries of this initiative. Residents should embrace it as a means of improving sanitation and strengthening healthcare outcomes in our communities,” he said.