From Kenneth Udeh, Abuja
Senator representing Kwara South, Ashiru Oyelola says that the provision of hygiene facilities such as Portable water and the construct sanitation structures in public places will end open defecation in the State so as to meet up with the 2025 National target of the Federal Government.
Working in collaboration with the Kwara Government, the Deputy Leader of the Senate assured that Apex Parliament is hopeful that the State will be declared open defecation free to meet the 2025 national deadline.
Ashiru stated this on Friday when he played host to the Kwara State Commissioner for Water Resources, Hon Usman Yunusa-Lade at his National Assembly office in Abuja.
Usman was also accompanied by the State’s Rural water supply and sanitation Agency General Manager, Olorunfemi Oladipo and the Kwara State Rural Water Supply and Sanitation Agency Program Officer, Yahaya Mumeen.
Ashiru lamented that some residents of the state still defecate in the open due to lack of access to basic sanitation.
In the course of their discussion plans were concluded to make available the aforementioned facilities in communities just as the Lawmaker stated reassured his readiness to partner with the State Government by rallying other members of the National Assembly to achieve an end to open defecation in the State.
He said; “We discussed partnership to curb open defecation in Kwara State, by providing facilities, which include provision of portable water and to construct sanitation facilities in public places.
“With synergy from the National Assembly members, we are hopeful that the State will be declared open defecation free to meet the 2025 national deadline.
Ashiru also lauded the State Governor, Mallam Abdulrahman Abdulrasaq, for the payment of a 200M counterpart fund for Partnership for Expanded Water Supply, Sanitation, and Hygiene. (P-WASH). According to him this is a huge step towards ending open defecation in the State.
The commissioner for Water Resources congratulated the Senator for his recent leadership appointment. Usman who spoke on behalf of the state Governor asserted that the State Government’s readiness to partner with the Senate to improve the well-being of the state’s residents. According to him the State Governor remains committed to bringing an end to the unhealthy practice in the State in line with the 2025 target.