The Minister of Water Resources and Environment Engr. Suleiman Adamu has commended the people of Ogbadibo local government area in Benue state for their commitment in making their environment clean by achieving Open Defeacation Free (ODF) status through behavioural change.
This is even as the United Nations Intentional Children’s Emergency Fund (UNICEF), with financial support of DFID in collaboration with Federal and Benue state government have certified Ogbadibo Local Government Area (LGA) as Open Defecation Free (ODF).
The minister was in Otukpa, the Headquarters of Ogbadibo local government area of Benue state weekend to celebrate with the people and on behalf of the UNCEF presented certificate to the local government for achieving ODF status.
The feat, which places Ogbadibo as the 10th LGA to be certified ODF in Nigeria and the 3rd in Benue State is made possible through the joint intervention of UNICEF, Directorate of Food and International Development (DFID), the Nigerian Government and Benue State Government.
Speaking at the occasion the Minister acknowledged the support of UNICEF in the implementation of SHWAN in Nigeria.
The minister, who was represented by Engr. Emmanuel Eze, Deputy Director, Sanitation, said the SHWAN programme is implemented across eight states in 104 LGAs in the country.
He said the celebration of ODF in Ogbadibo LGA indicated that progress is being made.
In her speech, Water, Sanitation and Hygiene (WASH) Manager Enugu UNICEF, Mamita Bora Thakkar, said her office is happy and pleased that the journey, which started in 2012, has culminated into the celebration of ODF in Ogbadibo.
She described the presentation of certificate of ODF to the LGA as a historic moment for the people of Benue State for adding another LGA to the list of LGAs that are ODF.
According to her, the aim of ensuring ODF is to improve the lives of the future generations saying that poor sanitation and hygiene could affect the quality of education and economic opportunities.
There is need to fight against open defecation and save the children, who are most susceptible to effect of poor hygiene, with its attendant negative effect on communities.
There is also the need for improved awareness on the dangers of open defecation and to mobilise communities that they need dignity and privacy for their women, and children.
By 2025, no child should be born in the state to know that open defecation is right,” the UNICEF WASH manager said.
Earlier the general manager of Benue Rural Water Supply and Sanitation Agency BERWASSA, Mrs Torkwase Ikyaator, in a welcome adress said the journey which has led to the achievement of ODF by Ogbadibo, began in 2012 when it was selected among 2 other local governments for intervention in the Sanitation, Hygiene and Water in Nigeria (SHAWN) programme being implemented by UNICEF with financial support of DFID and in collaboration with Benue State Government.
Represented at the occasion by Mr. Tony Mkpen, she said government and the people were inspired by the landmark achievement recorded by Ogbadibo, which has seen Benue State make progress on improving sanitation coverage in the LGAs.
“So far, 3 out of 23 LGAs have been declared ODF, an important factor in reducing disease outbreaks such as diarrhea in communities.
“Although it is a far cry from the target of making Benue open defecation-free by 2025, with hard work, political will and commitment, it is achievable,” she noted.
