The Jigawa Government has declared Birninkudu and Buji Local Government Areas Open Defecation Free (ODP), under DFID/UNICEF supported Sanitation, Hygiene and Water in Nigeria (SHAWN) project.
The State Commissioner for Water Resources, Alhaji Ibrahim Hannun-Giwa, made the pronouncement during a news conference in Dutse on Tuesday.
Hannun-Giwa said the two councils were third and fourth to be declared out of the 70 in the eight SHAWN project states and fifth and sixth of the 774 councils in the country.
‘‘The journey has not been an easy one, but the success recorded makes it worth the while.
‘‘It is therefore my pleasure to begin by pronouncing today as a great, momentous and joyful day for the people and government of Jigawa state.
‘‘Consequently, on behalf of Gov. Abubakar Badaru and our good friends and partners, DFID and UNICEF, who are initiators and funders of the project, it is my honour and privilege to declare Birninkudu and Buji LGAs as Open Defecation Free,’’ Hannun-Giwa said.
He revealed that arrangements were being made for a grand celebration to be led by the Minister of Water Resources, which would be hosted by Gov. Badaru in the first quarter.
The commissioner added that during the celebration, the minister would present certificates of ODF to the two outstanding councils.
According to him, Roni and Gwiwa LGAs are also on the verge of attaining the ODF status, stressing this could happen before the middle of 2019.
‘‘I wish to therefore call on all concerned to work assiduously towards the achievement of this, and to remain focused on the state’s roadmap for the attainment of the state-wide ODF by 2025.
“This is in our collective efforts towards the attainment of the Water, Sanitation and Hygiene (WASH) and Sustainable Development Goals(SDGs).
‘‘I want to also seize this opportunity to commend and appreciate the passion Gov. Badaru, UNICEF, DFID, FMOWR, traditional rulers, CSOs, NGOs and all stakeholders contributed to the actualisation of this dream becoming true,’’ Hannun-Giwa said.
The Department of International Development (DFID) Team Leader, Mr Dan Whitaker, congratulated the two councils for achieving the ODF status.
‘‘We are proud to be partners in activity. We also foresee more LGAs in achieving this status,’’ he said.
In his votes of thanks, the Chairman of Birninkudu Council, Alhaji Sani Abdu, commended all the partners and stakeholders for their support in achieving the status.
‘‘It has not been easy at all because of the culture of our people who view open defecation as a normal thing,’’ Abdu said.
News Agency of Nigeria recalls that UNICEF had in October 2016, rated Birninkudu top on the list of areas fighting to end open defecation in the state. (NAN)
