BENIN CITY – Edo State Ministry of Environment and sustainability in collaboration with Small Town And Rural Water Supply And Sanitation Agency(STRUWASSA) has taken awareness campaign across the three metropolitan Local Government Areas of Oredo, Ikpoba Okha and Egor on the dangers of open defecation.

The Awareness campaign is part of activities to mark this year’s Observance of “The world Toilet Day” held every November 19th across the Globe.

The world Toilet Day according to the organizer of the programmed is a Global event Observed every year to highlight the importance of sanitation and hygiene in driving improvements in public Health and Environmental protection.

Here in Benin City, the Edo State capital, the ministry of Environment and sustainability in conjunction with the State’s small Town And Rural Water Supply And sanitation Agency (STRUWASSA) took a sensitization and awareness campaign across major streets in Benin Metropolis.

The Campaign highlighting the use and dangers of open defecation, non availability of toilets in private homes and other public places as well as poor sanitary conditions was led by the General manager of (STRUWASSA), Mrs. Mercy Omoregie, staff of the Agency and Health officials across the three metropolitan Local Government Areas in Benin metropolis.

Speaking on government’s efforts to end open defecation in the targeted year 2025, Mrs. Omoregie said Edo State government has a clear roadmap and other government instrumentality towards making the State open defecation free by the year 2025, noting that having a toilet and safely managed sanitation facilities as well as services can improve community health as it would eliminate preventable diseases.

She further stated that the state government has already built toilets in many schools and markets across the state, urging the end users of these facilities to make Judicious and proper use of it.

In an Interview, Heads of Department in Egor and Ikpoba Okha Local Government Areas of water sanitation and Hygiene department Mrs. Ogbomo Nancy and Mrs Osareniye Isibor said frantic efforts have been made by government across the Eighteen Local government Areas of the state at ending open defecation and improving public health practices.

On her part, State chairperson, Edo State market Association, madam Blacky Ogiamien said ending open defecation is a collective responsibility by all.

The Theme of this year’s world Toilet Day is “Value Toilet, seeks to stress the absolute necessity of toilets in our lives”.