Kaduna’s Sanitation Crisis: A Call for Action

Erect Toilets, End Open Defecation…

By AbdulHakeem Mutiu Adejumo-Ajeseku, Kaduna-Nigeria

BTvNEWS: The lack of public toilets in Kaduna’s bustling streets has become a major public health concern. Specifically, the stretch from Kawo through Kaduna Township, Command junction, Sabo Tasha, and NNPC junction is facing a sanitation nightmare. Despite a newly built public facility by an individual at Angwan Pama junction, Sabo Tasha, and another at Katsina Road Roundabout, the situation remains dire.

Kaduna residents, including Mr. Abel Abaji from Sabo Tasha, Mr. Sunday Ramos from Kasuwa, and Mal. Haruna Musa from Kawo, expressed their displeasure over the situation, telling BTV Correspondent during an interview:

“I’m Abel Abaji. Public health and public participation are key to good governance, and for Kaduna State, open defecation should be a thing of the past. A metropolitan city like Kaduna shouldn’t be facing these challenges. It’s a call to action and a call to order for our government.”

“When you move from Kawo through the township, Command junction, Sabo Tasha, and NNPC junction, it’s hard to find public facilities for people to use, whether they’re doing business or visiting. This is a serious matter that requires government attention,” he added.

“We hope that not just on highways but also in markets and other public spaces, there will be places of convenience. The government should develop a strategic plan, working from the state level down to the local governments, to provide these facilities and defeat open defecation in Kaduna. This is essential for promoting public health and dignity,” he further stressed.

Mr. Ramos also said: “It’s embarrassing and unbearable to lack public toilets within the Kaduna metropolis for convenience. We need more public toilets to avoid this humiliation,” he added.

“We are calling on the Kaduna state government to as a matter of urgency take immediate action and erect public toilets on the highways, in market and other places,” he further stressed

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The residents’ plea is not just a call for basic amenities; it’s a call for action to prevent diseases and promote public health. Open defecation poses significant health risks, including the spread of diseases like cholera, diarrhea, and typhoid fever. The government must prioritize public health and take concrete steps to address this issue. By providing public toilets, the government can prevent further health hazards and ensure a better future for its citizens.

The people of Kaduna deserve dignity, health, and well-being. It’s time for the government to deliver. By erecting public toilets and providing adequate sanitation facilities, the government can make a significant difference in the lives of its citizens. The lack of public toilets has serious health implications, and the government must take immediate action to address this issue.

Mal. Musa also said: “The provision of public toilets would not only curb open defecation and prevent the outbreak of diseases but also generate revenue for the government to maintain the toilets.

“There is need for urgent action, as the current situation is unacceptable, and we urge the government to take responsibility for providing adequate sanitation facilities. This is a matter of dignity and health. We can’t continue like this,” he further stressed.

The government must recognize the gravity of this situation and take immediate action. The residents are calling on the government to erect public toilets on the said roads, in markets, motor parks, and other public spaces. This move would improve public health and generate revenue for the government.

The Kaduna state government has a responsibility to provide its citizens with basic amenities, including public toilets. By doing so, the government can promote dignity, health, and well-being for its citizens. It’s time for the government to take action and address this public health crisis.

The residents’ call for action is a call for a healthier and more sustainable environment. By working together, the government and citizens can create a cleaner and healthier Kaduna. The government must take immediate action to address this issue and provide public toilets for its citizens.

According to various residents, the Kaduna state government must take immediate action to address the public health crisis in Kaduna. Erecting public toilets and providing adequate sanitation facilities is a matter of priority, and it’s time for the government to act. This move would improve public health, generate revenue, and promote economic development.