World Toilet Day: FG introduces Smart Toilets initiative
To mark the 2025 World Toilet Day (WTD), the Federal Government has commissioned a cutting-edge Smart Toilet Facility at Mararaba Orange Market, with plans underway to build 9 more across the Keffi area of Nasarawa State
The Minister of Environment, Malam Balarabe Lawal at the ceremony highlighted the critical need for proper sanitation systems, drawing global attention to the plight of billions lacking access to safe toilets
He stated that “approximately 4.5 billion people worldwide lack safely managed sanitation systems, while 892 million people still practice open defecation”
Lawal noted that the situation contributes to the spread of diseases such as cholera, dysentery, and typhoid
Represented by the Ministry’s Permanent Secretary, Mahmud Kambari, the Minister underscored that access to safe and clean toilets is a fundamental human right, essential for protecting public health and the environment.
He added that the 2025 celebration’s theme, “Sanitation in a Changing World,” highlights the need to adapt sanitation practices to address evolving environmental, social, and public health challenges.
In his remarks, Nasarawa State Governor, Abdullahi Sule, represented by Mrs Margaret Elayo, urged the community to take ownership of the facility by ensuring its effective maintenance, stressing that a toilet is a necessity, not a luxury.
He commended the Minister of Environment and his management team, along with development partners, for contributing to a clean and safe environment in the State.
The Regional Coordinator, Global Task Force for Cholera Control Country Support (GTFCC), Dr Stephen O. Ohize, stated that public toilets are not just a project; but powerful tools for the protection of health, business support, and the upholding of human dignity – especially for women, girls, the elderly, and people living with disabilities.
He added that safe, dignified, and adequate sanitation is one of the most effective tools against cholera.
The Smart Toilet Facility is a collaborative effort between the Federal Ministry of Environment, Bhustan Energy and Environmental Services Ltd, and Rural Women Energy Security (RUWES), aimed at promoting proper sanitation, hygiene, and waste disposal practices among traders, transport workers, and market users.
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