Mr Iliya Habila, Chairman of Bogoro local government area of Bauchi State, has mandated churches, mosques and viewing centres in the area to provide toilets facilities for people to maintain the open defecation free status of the local government.
UNICEF had previously enlisted Bogoro along with Dass, Warji and Gamawa local governments as being free from open defecation.
Mr Habila said this when he received sanitation kits from WASH at the council’s secretariat.
He said religious and viewing centres are places where people gather in their numbers and stay for hours, which may trigger them to look for convenience to relieve themselves and, failure to get one closeby, will leave them with no option but to resort to the open fields.
The Chairman noted the vital roles of religious leaders in the promotion of the campaign against open defecation, saying that they must carry out the advocacy role with practical examples.
Mr Habila called on the people of Bogoro local government to ensure proper utilisation of the items distributed to them for the good of their health and wellbeing.
Mr Timothy Bitrus, Coordinator Water, Sanitation and Hygiene, WASH Bauchi State said the sanitation kits were provided by UNICEF in recognition of the council’s effort towards ensuring a clean and healthy environment.
