The Oyo State House of Assembly has called on the state government to formulate a policy compelling owners of major commercial properties across the Ibadan metropolis to provide accessible, hygienic, and functional public toilet facilities as part of efforts to curb open defecation and improve environmental sanitation.
The resolution followed the adoption of a motion titled, “Need for the Executive Arm of Government to Mandate Major Commercial Properties Within Ibadan Metropolis to Provide Public Toilet Facilities to Curb Open Defecation,” sponsored by the member representing Ibadan South-West State Constituency II, Hon. Oluwafemi Oluwafowokanmi, during plenary.
Presenting the motion, Oluwafowokanmi described open defecation as a major environmental and public health challenge, saying it continues to expose residents to communicable diseases such as cholera, typhoid, and diarrhea while degrading the environment and tarnishing the image of Oyo State.
He acknowledged the efforts of the state government and relevant agencies, particularly the Ministry of Environment and Natural Resources, in promoting environmental sanitation. However, he said the shortage of accessible and affordable public toilet facilities in markets, motor parks, commercial centers, and major road corridors had continued to hinder the state’s quest for a cleaner and healthier environment.
The lawmaker noted that several developed countries and some Nigerian cities had tackled the problem by making it mandatory for owners of commercial establishments, including filling stations, shopping malls, hotels, eateries, parks, and event centers, to provide clean and functional toilet facilities for public use, either free of charge or at subsidised rates.
According to him, making the provision of public toilets a civic responsibility for owners of major commercial facilities would significantly reduce open defecation and move Oyo State closer to achieving Open Defecation Free (ODF) status in line with the targets of the Federal Government and the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF).
Oluwafowokanmi also identified busy commercial areas, including Iwo Road, Dugbe, Challenge, Molete, Idi Arere, Beere, Oje, Gate, Mokola, Bodija, and Ojoo, where the absence of public conveniences often leaves residents, commuters, travelers, and commercial drivers with no option but to defecate openly, thereby posing health risks and polluting the environment.
He stressed that the fight against open defecation should not be left to government alone, adding that private institutions and citizens also have important roles to play in promoting a cleaner and healthier society.
Following deliberations, the Assembly urged the Executive Arm of Government, through the Ministry of Environment and Natural Resources and the Oyo State Rural Water Supply and Sanitation Agency (RUWASSA), to mandate owners of major and viable commercial properties located along highways and within the Ibadan metropolis to provide and maintain accessible public toilet facilities with regular water supply in line with approved sanitary standards.
The lawmakers also called on the Ministry of Lands, Housing and Urban Development to include the provision of public convenience facilities as part of the requirements for building approvals and renewals for commercial properties.
In addition, the House urged the Ministry of Local Government and Chieftaincy Matters to direct local governments and local council development areas (LCDAs) within the Ibadan metropolis to partner with private investors in constructing and managing modern pay-per-use public toilets at strategic commercial locations.
The Assembly further appealed to the Ministry of Environment and Natural Resources to direct the Oyo State Environmental Task Force to ensure strict enforcement of the proposed policy through regular inspections and monitoring to guarantee compliance with hygiene standards.
It also called on the Ministry of Information and Orientation, in collaboration with RUWASSA, to intensify public enlightenment campaigns on the health implications of open defecation while educating residents on the availability and proper use of public toilet facilities to encourage positive behavioural change.
As part of its resolutions, the House directed its Committee on Environment, Water Resources, and Ecology to conduct oversight visits and submit a comprehensive report within 90 days on the level of compliance by commercial property owners with the provision of public toilet facilities across the Ibadan metropolis.
Packaged by Adekunle Adegboye
