Rabiu Omaku
The Nasarawa State Commissioner for Environment and Natural Resources, Princess Dr. Margaret Elayo, who also oversees the Ministry of Women Affairs and Humanitarian Services, has expressed grave concern over the rampant open defecation in communities and has personally intervened to provide sanitation facilities.
Dr. Elayo observed that every resident deserves access to proper sanitation facilities, highlighting it as a fundamental necessity of life.
The Commissioner’s intervention comes after her visit to Unguwar Ngas, a community situated on the outskirts of Lafia, the State capital, where she assessed the dire lack of sanitation facilities.
Unguwar Ngas, like many underserved areas, lacks basic social amenities, particularly proper toilet facilities.
During her visit, Dr. Elayo noted that residents, predominantly peasant farmers, appear largely unaware of the environmental and health hazards associated with open defecation, primarily due to the absence of adequate toilet facilities.
This critical gap, she stressed, underscores the urgent need for the Nasarawa State Government to rise to the occasion, align with community needs, and consider declaring a State of emergency on open defecation to safeguard public health and dignity.
Responding swiftly to the situation, Dr. Elayo assured the community of her personal commitment and financial contributions to construct much-needed toilet facilities.
“Restroom is a necessity of life, which everyone deserves for their own comfort,” Dr. Margaret stated emphatically. “I personally funded this project to protect the dignity of the girl child from being exposed to the danger of having the call of nature in an opening space.”
Confirming her commitment, Dr. Elayo has already dispatched a team to Unguwar Ngas, where preliminary digging for the toilet facilities has commenced, signaling immediate action to alleviate the community’s sanitation crisis.
