Open defecation: Old problem in a new world

That open defecation have remained a crucial global menace in this age is a shocker to many. From rural communities to the urban areas, many people across the world do not have access to toilets and so resort to open defecation, which has adverse effects on the environment. DOYIN ADEOYE writes.

WITH the revelation over the weekend that 1.8 million out of a total population of 2.7 million residents in Ekiti State practise open defecation, Nigeria is obviously still drowning in the ugly anomaly, as one of the countries where the menace is mostly common.
Many Nigerians do not have access to decent toilets in their homes and therefore are left with the choice of defecating openly. Although the fight against open defecation is ongoing across many states in the country, the situation seems to be worsening as the days go by.
Leading other states of the federation in open defecation, it will be recalled that in December 2014, Ekiti State governor, Dr Ayodele Fayose, gave a two-month ultimatum to defaulters to provide toilet facility in their homes or face prosecution. Although some may have met the deadline, it is now obvious that the motive behind the decision was not met, judging by the new sanitation statistics in the state.
According to a 2012 World Health Organisation (WHO) and United Nations Children’s Emergency Fund (UNICEF) joint monitoring report, 1.1 billion people, which is 15 per cent of the global population practise open defecation, while 949 million of the open defecators live in rural areas.
Nigeria in the report, made the list of the first five countries that account for almost three-quarters of the people who practise open defecation, as 34 million Nigerians still relieve themselves in the open, posing great environmental concerns.
Speaking at a two-day media networking and alliance building workshop on water sanitation and hygiene and open defecation free campaign over the weekend, the United Nations Children Fund and European Union (UNICEF/EU) noted that over 2.5 billion of the global population lacked access to improved sanitation and that of the figure, one billion people are engaged in open defecation.
Ending open defecation is crucial, as the health implication include the spread of diarrhoea, chickenpox, measles and cholera, among others. There have been a lot of achievements by various bodies in recent times to end the menace, but a lot still needs to be done.


In an interview with Ecoroom, National Coordinator, Water and Sanitation Collaborative Council (WSSCC), Achakpa Priscilla, said that the Rural Sanitation and Hygiene Promotion in Nigeria (RUSHPIN) which was inaugurated in 2013, is aimed at improving sanitation access and hygiene behaviour for 2.2 million persons.
“By training facilitators at LGA level RUSHPIN will trigger 1,271 communities in order for them to appreciate the benefits of improved sanitation and hygiene behaviour. The programme will reach 2.2 million persons with sanitation and hygiene messages. By doing so, 1.3 million people are expected to change from open to fixed place defecation.
“The RUSHPIN programme has recorded remarkable progress following the signing of the MoU and involvement of the Community Led Total Sanitation (CLTS) Foundation. In three years, the programme had reached 820 communities, out of which 506 have attained Open Defication Free (ODF),” she said.
The Ebonyi State Government also recently prosecuted over 138 residents for defecating in open places.
Speaking in Abakaliki, the state capital, the Commissioner for Environment in the state, Ogodo Nome, noted that over 60 landlords in the state capital alone have been prosecuted for refusal to install toilet facilities in their houses.
According to him, anyone who erects buildings in the state without toilet facilities will be sanctioned.
People openly defecate for various reasons, ranging from non-availability of toilets or habitual preference for just defecating in the open air.
Sharing her experience, Olajumoke Adesola, a caterer said: “Individuals shouldn’t be blamed most times, as there are times when you will be forced into defecating in the open. I remember when I went for my National Youth Service Corps (NYSC), the experience at the three-week orientation programme was pathetic.
“The odour oozing from the pit latrine at the back of our hostels was enough to deter anyone from even using the toilet. I didn’t have a choice than to buy nylons and ‘shotput,’ an option I wouldn’t have made even in my wildest dreams. And unfortunately, that was the same situation for many others at the camp. So I believe that if people have good and decent toilet facilities, open defecation wouldn’t be an option,” she said.
There is a need for more rigid enforcement of policies from governments at all levels to eradicate open defecation in Nigeria. Access to water and decent toilets, will also go a long way in addressing this issue, especially as regards the behavioural aspect of it.
“Many are just naturally dirty. Sometimes, open defecation has nothing to do with the availability of toilets, some just prefer to defecate in the open than use the loo. I have a piece of land that I am yet to develop. The environment is good and one would assume that the residents in the area are learned. But I find it absurd when I get there sometimes and see human faeces all around.
“It has become a lifestyle for many and this need to be addressed. Why would anyone build a house and not make provisions for a toilet facility, it just shows that such person has a mentality that defecating in the open is normal. Another situation I find pitiful is houses where there are about 20 residents and they all have to use a little shed behind the house as the bathroom and the toilet. With such plan, the place is often never clean. So ministries of environment at the state level need to do more in enforcing that every compound has a toilet facility,” Mr Tunde Collins, an environment activist said.