Tarka local government has been rated 30th position out of the137 local government Areas that have attained Open Defecation Free (ODF) status, among the 774 local government Areas in Nigeria.
The Commissioner, Benue State Ministry of Water Resources, Environment and Climate Change, Hon. Odoh Ugwu revealed this at the commemoration of World Toilet Day, ( WTD) held Wednesday at Wanune, Tarka local government, Benue State.
Hon. Ugwu who was represented by the Covering Permanent Secretary, Mr Thomas Akanyam explained that the celebration was to promote the culture of construction, owing and using toilet in both homes and public places, and constant hand washing among the people.
“on 19th November every year,the World communities celebrate the Global event christened “World Toilet Day” (WTD), to remedy sanitation problems and help achieve sustainable Development Goal 6 which promises clean water and sanitation by 2030.”
He added that, this year’s Theme: Toilet, A PLACE FOR PEACE is indeed unrefutable because the toilet, is not just a toilet but a life saver, dignity protector and opportunity maker, as using it will reduce diseases like diarrhoea, typhoid, cholera etc that emanate from lack of use, resulting to huge spending of household resources, hence leading to poverty.
The Commissioner further commended UNICEF and the state government for their efforts to achieve sustainable sanitation hygiene, but lamented continuous acts of open Defecation by some individuals, leading to contamination of water, and charged them desist from it.
The Ag. General Manager, Benue State Rural Water Supply and Sanitation Agency (BERWASSA), Mr Tony Mkpen , also stated that toilet prevents people from exposure to deadly diseases that are transmitted through faeces, protects women and girls dignity, safety and health at homes, schools or work, especially during menstruation and pregnancy.He congratulated the people of Tarka Local Government for their resilience and encouraged everyone to learn and spread word about how proper toilets use and sanitation can save lives, and assured of the Agency’s continues partnership with local government stakeholders to maintain the status.
Also speaking, the United Nations Children’s Fund State Facilitator, Joy James commended efforts of stakeholders for attaining ODF status and reminded them that the toilet is key to better health and security.
She appealed for sustenance, calling on the traditional rulers to do more.She added that, uncleanliness was not linked to the Tiv man, therefore, pertinent that they avoid open or bush Defecation, littering of animal dung among other wastes to help mitigate climate crisis that are emerging and attain total sanitation.
The WASH Coordinator, Tarka LGA, Mrs Rose Gbande, represented by the Information Officer, Mr Ashivo Daniel cautioned that, the five years of toil by WASH to maintain a healthy environment in the LGA should not go in vain. While the Ag. HOD Sanitation, BERWASSA Mr Sunday Agbehi who facilitated on the need to maintain ODF, stated that, snake bite,rape,low self esteem of the girl child especially during menstruation among other negative impacts sometimes associated with Open defecating could be controlled by just a simple construction of toilet.
He urged the same people who made the ODF status possible, to still push for it sustenance.
The Chairman Tarka local government, Hon Raphael Yenge who was represented by the Deputy, Hon. Dooshima Tyokghir and Ter Mbakor, HRH, Gandeorun Orakaa both appreciated UNICEF and BERWASSA for the support and promised to work with the council representatives to ensure the local government is kept clean inorder to achieve a higher position.
Tarka Traditional rulers, Mrs Victoria Leva, Mrs Docas Shagbaor, Gwaza Joshua among other dignitaries gave their goodwill massages. Highlights of the event were, Road show awareness creation and mounting of ODF Bill Board.
