Some council chairmen and stakeholders in Lagos State, on Monday, warned residents against open defecation, insisting that offenders would be punished.

They told journalists in separate interviews that open defecation could be dangerous and is one of the easiest ways to contract diseases.

The federal government, on Sept. 12, said that the country required more than 20 million toilet facilities to combat open defecation.

Chizoma Opara, the deputy director of the “Clean Nigeria: Use the Toilet” campaign at the federal ministry of water resources and sanitation, corroborated this during an event in Lagos.

The chairman of Ikorodu Local Government, Wasiu Adesina, said he would punish anyone caught indulging in the act.

Mr Adesina urged residents to adhere to the council’s sanitation rules, adding that his administration had built 20 more public toilets to complement existing ones.

He said this would help in discouraging open defecation.

The council chairman noted that it became imperative to curb open defecation to prevent outbreaks such as cholera and other diseases in the country.

He also warned residents to desist from indiscriminate dumping of refuse, noting that it could lead to drainage blockages.

Kazeem Sulaimon, the chairman of Ikorodu West Local Council Development Area (LCDA), also urged residents to maintain good sanitary practices to avert outbreaks of disease.

Mr Sulaimon appealed to residents to ensure proper maintenance of public toilets in places such as markets, motor parks, schools, and other locations.

The council boss emphasized the importance of a clean environment, noting that it would significantly contribute to public health.

Lateef Rasheed, the chairman of the Nigeria Bar Association (NBA) in Badagry, also urged the government to ensure that every house and business centre has adequate toilet facilities and to enforce this requirement.

According to him, the government should also increase public sensitisation on the disadvantages of open defecation, particularly “as it affects lives.”

“We can put a stop to it if all houses have good toilets. How do you build a house without a toilet?

“Research has shown that most of those involved in open defecation are from compounds without toilets.

“Nobody wants to put their money down to repair damaged toilets.”

Babatunde Ajose, a tourism expert and resident of Marina in Badagry, said that open defecation “is a cultural practice in Badagry riverine communities.”

“Yes, we have open defecation in Badagry like every other riverine community in West Africa.

“It is a cultural practice that people find difficult to see anything wrong or dangerous in.

“Growing up, I practised open defecation because my family compound is opposite the lagoon.

“It was a usual practice for us children and teenagers to go to the marina early in the morning to defecate.”

According to him, Badagry Marina has been a meeting place for people of various ages since time immemorial.

“Very early in the morning, the children and teenagers would take our waste bins to empty them at several dump sites along the Marina, using the opportunity to defecate, play, and swim.

“The women would come in the afternoon to meet the fishermen and make purchases, while the men would gather in the evening after work to meet and discuss community matters.

“Open defecation at the Marina is one of the habits that has been commonly practised as part of coastal life,” he said.

Mr Ajose, however, urged the government to organize a sensitisation programme for residents of Marina to educate them on the dangers of open defecation.

“I sincerely agree that there is a need for the provision of toilets for people along the Badagry Marina to reduce open defecation.

“It is a habit that is part of our coastal cultural life, and the only approach to eradicate it is through strategic and continuous education, community engagement, and sensitisation, which can bring about a shift in behaviour.

“Up until this moment, I know people who refuse to use their toilets at home, preferring instead to defecate at the marina because it makes them feel big and culturally strong,” he said.

Ademola Mustapha, Badagry district scout officer, said open defecation remained a big challenge in the area, especially in riverine communities.

He suggested that the government should build more public toilets in Badagry and ensure they are “well-maintained.”

“There should also be more sensitisation about the importance of proper waste disposal and hygiene.

“Government should help households build latrines and establish effective waste collection and disposal systems.

“There should be collaboration among local governments, communities, and organisations to address the issue.”

The Baale of Ojogbe in Ikorodu urged residents to stop open defecation as a key step in combating the spread of diseases and controlling other environmental crises.

He called on residents to prioritise sanitation and hygiene to curb the spread of disease outbreaks.

According to him, sanitation and hygiene are the most cost-effective ways of ensuring good health.

“Open defecation has become a menace in society and must be tackled to promote good health,” he said.

(NAN)