Oyo Govt Inaugurates Committee To End Open Defecation

The Oyo State Government on Thursday inaugurated a 20-member State Task Group on Sanitation (STGS) to eliminate open defecation and ensure equitable access to water, sanitation, and hygiene by the year 2028.

The inauguration ceremony, held at the House of Chiefs, Secretariat in Ibadan, was presided over by the Deputy Governor, Bayo Lawal, who was represented by the Commissioner for Information and Orientation, Dotun Oyelade.

Lawal stressed the need to close the sanitation gaps in the state, and urged the newly formed group to intensify public awareness, particularly in institutions that still lack basic sanitation infrastructure.

“Many institutions still lack basic sanitation facilities. You must step up the efficacy of awareness and back it with compelling reasons for communities and institutions to invest in these facilities,” the deputy governor said.

He reiterated the state’s commitment to ending open defecation by 2028, and noted that the formation of the STGS marks a significant milestone in that journey.

”I want to express the State Government’s commitment towards eradicating open defecation by 2028, which informed the launching of STGS in the state,” he added

The Chairman of the Oyo State Rural Water Supply and Sanitation Agency (RUWASSA), Babalola Afobaje, while speaking at the event, expressed confidence that the task group would enhance sanitation and hygiene activities across the state.

On his part, the Chairman of the House Committee on Environment, Ecology and Water Resources, Olorunpoto Cephas, reaffirmed the House’s support for the initiative.

“Our committee is ready to work closely with RUWASSA, relevant MDAs, local government authorities, traditional institutions, and development partners to ensure this vision becomes a lived reality for our people,” he stated.

The STGS is chaired by the Secretary to the State Government, Olanike Adeyemo, and the members includes Omoyele Omofoyewa, Olalekan Isaac, Oyedele Oladayo, Rafiu Baasit, Abayomi Yusuff, Aileru Foster, Olamide Adeniji, Femi Amusan, Ramoni Afeez, Adedeji Sunday, Adewole Deola, Oloyede Abimbola, Mustapha Haulat, Oyewole Bukola, Adio Olusegun, and Aliu Jemilat, among others.

The task group is expected to work collaboratively with stakeholders to promote hygienic practices, monitor sanitation progress, and drive policy implementation to achieve the state’s goal.

Oyo Govt Inaugurates Committee To End Open Defecation is first published on The Whistler Newspaper