The Cross River State House of Assembly has passed the Open Defecation Prohibition Bill aimed at banning open defecation in public places and improving sanitation across the state. The legislation is intended to promote the use of proper toilet facilities and strengthen public health standards.
The bill was approved on Wednesday after lawmakers considered a report from the House Committee on Water Resources and Sanitation, presented by its Chairman, Kingsley Ntui, representing Etung State Constituency.
Mr Ntui told the House that about 47 million people in Nigeria practise open defecation, a situation he said contributes to water-borne diseases such as cholera, diarrhoea and typhoid. He noted that eight local government areas in Cross River have already been declared open-defecation-free with support from organisations including UNICEF and Self Help Africa.
Also Read: 48m Nigerians Still Practise Open Defecation, Says Environment Minister
The Speaker of the House, Elvert Ayambem, said the Assembly remains committed to improving sanitation and public health through legislation. Lawmakers said the new measure aligns with national and international efforts to eliminate open defecation and improve environmental cleanliness.
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