In order to end open defecation in Nigeria by the year 2030, the Federal Government has solicated support of the Catholic Church.
The Honourable Minister of Water Resources and Sanitation Engr Professor Joseph Terlumun Utsev, sought for the collaboration on Tuesday when he led Permanent Secretary of his ministry Mr Richard Pheelangwah and other management staff on advocacy visit to the Archbishop, Catholic Archdiocese of Abuja, Most Reverend Ignatius Kaigama in Abuja.
Explaining that though the campaign against open defecation in the country has recorded some success with 142 local governments achieving open defecation free status and more in the process of certification, the Minister said collective efforts must be put in place to ensure that the country achieved open defecation free target by the year 2030.
According to Professor Utsev, it was in the light of this that his ministry has taken the advocacy to the Catholic Archdiocese of Abuja which he identified as one of the critical stakeholders to scale up the campaign to all the nooks and crannies of the country and educate the people on dangers of open defecation to human health.
Professor Utsev, in a statement by Terhemen Oraduen, his Personal Assistant on Media and Publicity, also appealed to the Catholic Church to incorporate messages on ending open defecation in its sermons and public engagements with the faithful as well as provide sanitation facilities within the church premises at all times.
He appealed to the Bishop to encourage his parishioners to promote behavioural change within their families and communities especially in rural areas stressing that his ministry was ready to offer technical support to the church at all times.
While advocating more engagements with the Catholic community in the country, the Minister said his ministry looks forward to having a platform where it can share its proposal with Catholic Bishops in Nigeria for a possible adoption and replication across the country.
He emphasized that the administration of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu was committed to ensuring that every Nigerian has access to sanitation services and clean water to drink.
Responding, Archbishop Catholic Archdiocese of Abuja Most Reverend Ignatius Kaigama who described Professor Utsev as the first serving Minister to have visited his diocese with a good message of promoting healthy living,thanked him for identifying with the church noting that his visit will go along way in bridging the gap between government and the people.
He expressed appreciation to the Minister for embarking on the crusade to save lives and promoting personal hygiene among citizens and assured him of the support of the church to win the war against open defecation.
Archbishop Kaigama stressed the need for government and faith based organisations to work together to end open defecation in Nigeria emphasizing that government alone cannot tackle the problem.
He also pledged to encourage his colleague priests to champion the campaign in their parishes to have a cleaner and healthier Nigeria where every citizen will be proud of.