The Kwara State Government has expressed its readiness to collaborate with UNICEF or any donor agency to eradicate open defecation in the state.

Commissioner for Water Resources Usman Yunusa Lade gave the assurance when the United Nations International Children’s Emergency Fund (UNICEF) WASH specialist, Mrs. Theressa Pammer, paid him a courtesy call in his office in Ilorin, the state capital.

The commissioner disclosed that the state government had set aside the sum of N200 million to provide toilets and other WASH facilities in health and educational institutions and marketplaces within the state.

According to him, the state government recently flagged off a campaign against open defecation as part of its efforts to educate, enlighten, and sensitise the public on the need to have toilet facilities in their domains.

Usman emphasised that members of the state and national assembly have been contacted about the need to complement the efforts of the state government by providing WASH facilities in their constituencies in order to eradicate open defecation across the state.

He also used the opportunity to appeal to well-meaning individuals, organisations, and non-governmental organisations to assist the state in this direction.

Earlier, UNICEF’s WASH specialist from the Kaduna office, Mrs Theressa Pammer, briefed the management of the ministry that she was in the state to see how her organisation would be able to support Kwara in eliminating open defecation.

Pammer noted that the percentage of people consuming contaminated water and practising open defecation in the state was alarming, pointing out that stringent measures must be taken to put an end to the practice in the state.

She disclosed that education institutions, health centres, and other public places across the state were expected to have been provided with WASH facilities, stressing that hygiene is key to any healthy environment.

The UNICEF Wash specialist urged the Kwara State Government to work towards a 100 per cent drinkable water supply to the people of the state, noting that the state has what it takes to set a pace for others to emulate.

She reiterated UNICEF’s commitment to continue to assist Kwara State in this regard.

Also speaking, the Permanent Secretary of the ministry, Mrs Christiana Asonibare, appreciated the UNICEF specialist for finding time to visit the state and her desire to assist the state government.

She called for a strong collaboration between UNICEF and the state government to move Kwara to greater heights.