Federal Ministry of Water Resources in conjunction with Imo state Government has flagged off the campaign against open defecation and poor hygiene in the state.
In her welcome address, the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Water Resources, Mrs. Nnenna Nwaugo stated that the programme was in compliance with the Federal Government directives to launch the initiative at the state level.
Nwaogu further disclosed that the programme will engage over 2700 Imo youths to carry out the campaign by way of sensitization and creating awareness across the 27 L GAs of the state.
She noted that the youth volunteers will engage the communities on the dangers of open defecation, the need for safe water, personal and environmental hygiene.
She made it clear that the programme was flagged off in 2019 by the vice president of Nigeria tagged Clean Nigeria Use the toilet. She noted that the state government has keyed into it to end the menace of open defecation.
Speaking also at the event, The Minister, Ministry of Water Resources, Engr Suleman Adamu represented by the south East Zonal Co-ordinator, Mrs. Chinyere Obiano in her address explained that the objective of the programme was also in line with the federal government intervention in curbing the spread of COVID 19 stating that the community sensitization will last for 3 months.
In her words, the programme will rebuild the economy and stimulate job creation. She noted that over 499 boreholes are being constructed for accessibility to safe water services and safe hand washing practices for COVID 19 prevention and curbing the spread of communicable diseases. She further disclosed that over 46 million people still practice open defecation hence the need for basic sanitation. She noted that by the end of the campaign, Imo state will be declared open defecation free.
She urged the state and the LGAs to give the volunteers the maximum support they need and charged the youths to put in greater effort to ensure the success of the programme.
The executive governor of the state, senator Hope Uzodinma represented by the permanent secretary political of the office of the governor, Mr. John Njoku said the Imo state government has shown a lot of commitment and urged the youth volunteers to see the programme as a call to duty and thanked RUWASSA for their collaboration to ensure the success of the programme.
Speaking on behalf of the youths, the president of National Youth Congress, comrade Samuel Ibeh thanked the government for choosing them to champion the noble cause and promised to deliver on the mandate they were given.
