Oyo State Government, UNICEF Set to Eradicate Open Defecation 

The Oyo state government has indicated its plans to eradicate open defecation in both urban and rural areas of the state by 2028 through the use of Satopan toilets.

In the bid to achieve the feat, the Oyo State Rural Water Supply and Sanitation Agency (OYORUWASSA) has partnered with UNICEF and Lixil Organisation representatives from Kenya to ensure Sato Pan toilets are installed across the state.

While speaking during the inspection of some communities at Egbeda and Ona Ara axis of Ibadan, the state capital, the Chairman of the agency, Mr Babalola Afobaje, commended Governor Seyi Makinde and UNICEF for their unwavering support in fostering a clean and healthy environment, particularly for children.

Afobaje assured that the agency’s sanitation efforts would benefit both urban and rural residents, while promoting the use of Sato Pan toilets to achieve the goal.

Speaking also during the inspection, the General Manager, OYORUWASSA, Mr Adeduntan Mumeen, stressed the importance of the toilets as a swift solution to the open defecation challenge, reiterating that Oyo State will attain open defecation-free status through the collaborative efforts of all relevant stakeholders.

On his part, the UNICEF WASH Specialist, Mr Monday Johnson, emphasised that increased access to Sato Pan toilets would lead to a healthier environment and ultimately end open defecation in the state.

He urged stakeholders to educate the public on the benefits of maintaining a clean environment and praised OYORUWASSA, Local Government Areas (LGAs,) and Toilet Business Owners (TBOs) for their contributions to the cause.

Similarly, the representative from Lixl Organisation, Mr Samuel Langat, said the use of Sato Pan toilets is essential for living in a clean environment, stating that the team’s visit was aimed at engaging critical stakeholders and TBOs regarding the sales, installation, and usage of SATO products.

Langat noted that by 2030, everyone should have access to smart toilets through the use of the products.