Nigeria’s Enugu State has taken a significant leap towards a cleaner, healthier, and more sustainable future. Governor Peter N. Mbah’s Executive Order No. 006 of 2023 is a landmark decision that sets the state on a path towards becoming sustainably open defecation-free. This visionary move is a testament to the government’s commitment to the well-being of its citizens and the environment. This is coming against the backdrop of the State Government’s launch of the Enugu State Water Sector Law, 2021 and the Bye-Law Against Open Defecation enacted by each of the Local Government Council of the seventeen (17) Local Government Areas of Enugu State.
In a public statement issued today, 4 July 2024, the Nigerian Blue Community NEWARI, Network of Water Rights Initiatives, states:
As an organization dedicated to enhancing access to sustainable WASH services across Nigeria, NEWARI commends Enugu State Government’s Executive Order No. 006 of 2023, aimed at achieving an open defecation-free status, whilst urging the government to take a step further by taking cogent concrete actions to ensure its speedy implementation.
- Allocate sufficient funds for its implementation, especially on WASH infrastructure development in public spaces
- Engage with communities to ensure inclusive and sustainable solutions
- Set timelines and benchmarks for achieving ODF status
- Collaborate with stakeholders, including NGOs, to leverage expertise and resources.
