By Peter Omopo
The Cross River State House of Assembly has passed a bill prohibiting open defecation in public places as part of efforts to improve sanitation and protect public health across the state.
The legislation seeks to outlaw the practice of open defecation while promoting the use of proper toilet facilities across communities in the state.
Lawmakers approved the bill on Thursday after considering a report by the House Committee on Water Resources and Sanitation presented by its Chairman, Kingsley Ntui, who represents Etung State Constituency.
Presenting the committee’s report, Ntui said about 47 million Nigerians still practise open defecation, noting that the habit contributes significantly to the spread of water-borne diseases such as cholera, diarrhoea and typhoid.
He commended the Cross River State Government for its ongoing efforts to end open defecation and urged lawmakers to support sanitation programmes in their respective constituencies.
According to him, with support from the United Nations Children’s Fund and Self Help Africa, eight local government areas in the state have already been declared open defecation-free.
Ntui, however, noted that several challenges still hinder the achievement of a completely open defecation-free status in the state.
He listed poor sanitation infrastructure, limited access to clean water, poverty and low public awareness as major obstacles.
Other lawmakers who contributed to the debate said the bill aligns with national and global initiatives aimed at eliminating open defecation and improving sanitation standards.
They noted that the law would enhance environmental cleanliness and promote the overall health and well-being of residents across the state.
Speaker of the House, Elvert Ayambem, commended the committee for its work and expressed satisfaction with the passage of the bill.
Ayambem said the new law would help create a cleaner environment and reaffirmed the Assembly’s commitment to passing people-oriented legislation that improves the welfare of residents.
The development is also in line with the Federal Government’s Water, Sanitation and Hygiene programmes aimed at achieving safe water, sanitation and hygiene services by 2030 and making communities across the country open defecation-free.
