By Onome Oghenetega
A non-governmental organisation, Connected Development (CODE) has urged Delta State Government to build public conveniences in strategic places in order to discourage open defecation and keep the state clean.
Nigeria recently overtook India in open defecation in world ranking.
Project Lead of CODE, Ijeoma Ofoka who advocated this in Asaba, added that such conveniences should be located in easily accessible places including markets, motor parks among others.
Ofoka spoke during a media roundtable on improving urban Water, Sanitation and Hygiene (WASH) services through multi-dimensional engagement and mobilization in Delta State.
According to Ofoka, CODE is in partnership with the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) E-WASH recently launched the multi-dimensional engagement and mobilization project to improve urban E-WASH service delivery.
She explained that the programme is aimed at improving performance of public water corporations or boards in six states including Delta, by strengthening core financial and operational capabilities to increase services, attract outside investment, and reduce water losses throughout the system.
Ofoka noted that the project is also aimed at mobilising all relevant stakeholders in the state on E-WASH service delivery and create platforms for engagement between the government and civil society.
On his part, the Assistant Project Lead, Busayo Morakinyo told participants at the roundtable that the mission of CODE was also to improve access to information and empower local communities in Africa.
He said CODE has been involved in connecting citizens with capital projects in rural communities, especially projects in health, education and environment, with special attention on WASH.
“Our work is essentially tied to achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and contributing our quota especially in these three schematic areas for better service delivery,” he noted
