Cross River State Passes Bill to Ban Open Defecation

The Cross River State House of Assembly has approved a bill aimed at banning open defecation in public places, a significant step towards improving sanitation and public health across the state. The bill was presented by Kingsley Ntui, the Chairman of the House Committee on Water Resources and Sanitation, during a session on Thursday.

It highlights that approximately 47 million Nigerians engage in open defecation, contributing to waterborne diseases such as cholera, diarrhea, and typhoid. The bill aligns with national and global initiatives to eliminate open defecation and improve environmental cleanliness.

Speaker Elvert Ayambem commended the committee for their efforts and expressed satisfaction with the bill's passage, emphasizing its role in creating a cleaner environment and enhancing residents' welfare. The legislation also supports the federal government's water, sanitation, and hygiene program, which aims to achieve safe water and sanitation services by 2030.

However, challenges such as poor sanitation infrastructure, limited access to clean water, and low public awareness remain obstacles to achieving full open defecation-free status.