As part of measures to address the menace of open defecation in the state, the state government through the Ministry of Environment and Nature Resources on Wednesday launched 50 units of mobile toilets to be distributed to strategic places across the state.
The launch which is the pilot scheme in the effort is to target markets, motor parks, garages, among other public places which lack toilet facilities.
Additionally, the state also at the event inaugurated the Clean and Green clubs in some selected schools across the state to improve healthy living and curb deforestation.
The mobile toilets was launched as a Public Private Partnership (PPP) with Manaseh company, which would be in charge of the deployment of the facilities.
The state Commissioner for Environment and Natural Resources, Dr Abdulateef Oyeleke, said the deployment of the mobile toilets would help to eradicate open defecation, which he described as a major concern to the state.
Oyeleke said that some people defecate indiscriminately in the society despite it’s health and environmental implications to the enlarged society.
He said “In an attempt to mitigate the health challenges associated with it, government partner with Manaseh company to acquire this 50 mobile toilets that will be distributed to identify areas. It is not going to be free for deployment but the amount to be charge will for the use will be minimal.”
Oyeleke assures that the ministry would continually monitor the hygienic situation of the facilities and urged the people of the state to utilise the toilet wisely, adding that more of it would soon be deployed.
Flagging off the facility and the Green and Clean club, Secretary to Oyo State Government (SSG), Mrs Oluwabamiwo Adeosun said clean environment promote healthy living.
She called on the students in the club to take good care of the trees planted in their various schools in other to make the environment green, healthier and improved learning environment.
Adeosun warned that the environment must be preserved for the next generation, noting that clean environment make students to think well and urged them to continue planting trees to curb deforestation.
Adeosun further said that the ranking of Oyo high in eradicating open defecation must be sustained, saying that it is proper to use clean toilet.
The Operation Manager of Manaseh company, Mr Gbenjo Abimbola, said the company embarked on the partnership with the aim of eradicating open defecation in Oyo State.
Abimbola said that the 50 units of mobile toilets deployed was a start off and that more would soon be deployed to other parts of the state.
The event which held at the Ministry of Environment and Natural Resources premises was attended by Commissioners, students, workers, health officers among other relevant stakeholders.
