The Oyo State government and stakeholders in Ibarapa East Local Government Area have reaffirmed their dedication to promoting the use of toilets and good hygiene practices in every community across the council area.
This commitment was made during the inauguration of Community Led Total Sanitation (CLTS) training of environmental officers and RUWASSA staff held at Plaza de Aruna in Oyo.
The Commissioner for Health, Dr. Mrs. Oluwasherimi Ajetumobi appreciated the good efforts of the Oyo state government and the United Nations Children Education Funds (UNICEF).
The Commissioner specifically applauded the efforts of the present administration in phasing out open defecation in the state towards curbing the preventable outbreak of epidemic.
She called for collaboration among all stakeholders at ensuring an overall improvement in the general health and sanitation of Ibarapa East.
“This shows that the Oyo State Government has extended its commitment to end open defecation, not only in Ibarapa East LGA, but in the whole state,” she said.
The Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Health, Dr Kehinde Ayinde, encouraged the participants to make frantic efforts in moving from curative measures to preventive measures.
He also commended efforts of the supporting partners, UNICEF, in the reduction of diseases burden of States in the country.
Also speaking, the General Manager of Oyo State Rural Water Supply and Sanitation Agency (RUWASSA), Mr. Adeduntan Adeniyi reiterated the Agency’s commitment to end open defecation in the state soon.
Mr. Monday Johnson, the Southwest zonal representative of UNICEF, said it takes a lot of time for an individual to adapt to a new behavior, but at the end of the training participants must be able to sensitize Ibarapa Community towards an end to Open Defecation.
He encouraged them to teach the communities on best sanitary practices like regular hand washing, as preventive measures to curb the spread of diseases.
The Director, Sanitation, Mrs Obayemi Titilayo said the Community Led Total Sanitation training focused on capacity building of the Environmental Health Officer of Ibarapa East Local Government relevant stakeholders at local and State level and RUWASSA Staff on achieving the sustainable behavioural change, sanitation and hygiene practices through motivation, sensitization and advocacy.
She said this will contribute to the stop of open defecation in all households and communities in the state.