Kwara Government on Tuesday flagged off the construction of prototype public lavatories in Alanamu Community, Ilorin West Local Government Area of the state.
The state’s Commissioner for Water Resources, Usman Lade, said the facility was designed to provide comfort and promote hygienic practice in public places.
The commissioner while speaking at the ground-breaking ceremony held at the Forecourt of Palace of Balogun Alanamu Ilorin, said the effort was to stop open defecation and improve sanitation among the citizens.
According to him, the toilet project is to be built in public places such as markets, motor parks and schools to maximise public health safety.
Lade also disclosed that other neighbourhoods that the government designated for model toilets in the metropolis include; Ajikobi, Eruda communities and some other parts of the state.
He said the Alanamu’s public lavatory was fortified with a solar-powered water system that would serve the community day and night.
He explained that it was aimed at reducing the spread of waterborne diseases such as cholera, typhoid and hepatitis, amongst others.
“This important initiative is designed to put a stop to open defecation in our society and to improve the standard of living of the common man.
“Open defecation is a major public health concern in many communities within Nigeria which the state government is striving hard to control.
“This construction of public lavatories project will provide access to clean and safe toilet facilities within the public places.
“The facility comprises 10 toilet systems, eight shower units for both men and women with additional facilities like ablution area for Muslim and mobile charging booth for commercial use that will guarantee steady income for proper maintenance,” the commissioner said.
Lade assured the people of Alanamu and its environs that the project would be completed in good time and according to the specification.
He implored the people to take possession of the facility and ensure that it is properly supervised against possible abuse.
The Balogun Alanamu Ilorin, Dr Abubakar Usman-Jos, in his remarks, expressed delight over the project and thanked Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq for fulfilling his promise to improve the living standards of people of Alanamu.
He requested the government to ensure that the project is completed on time, while pledging his people’s readiness to secure the public facility at all times.
