By Waheed Adekunle
Just like a drama, the Osun State Government, under the watch of Governor Ademola Adeleke, has demolished the popular Okefia public toilet, despite the worrisome case of open defecation in the state.
The demolition came on the heels of the anticipated slip road in the ongoing construction of the Okefia flyover, whereas no replacement was made by the government, in sharp disregard for the good purpose it served the public.
Research shows that Nigeria has been among the top five countries for open defecation in the world for the past 15 years, moving from 5th place in 2003 to 2nd place in 2015 and 1st place in 2023. Nigeria’s ranking of open defecation by Local Government Area, according to UNICEF, shows that only one local government in Osun (Ifedayo Local Government) is open-defecation free.
Despite these grim statistics, the Osun State Government went ahead to pull down a public toilet without providing a replacement.
Recently, the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and Prevention, at different fora, alluded to suspected cases of cholera and deaths recorded across the country. Meanwhile, the Osun State Government has feigned ignorance of the impact and existence of such diseases in the state.
Regardless of the existence of cholera in the state, it is important for a proactive government to encourage citizens to maintain healthy living. Sadly, the demolition of the public toilet, strategically built by the previous government, could not be seen as a step toward maintaining hygiene and promoting healthy living.
The intention of the previous government, which installed the facility to provide market men and women, including traders, with access to modern toilets, has been defeated. This could be described as a continued show of vendetta against the administration of former Governor Adegboyega Oyetola.
It is on record that the Oyetola administration worked assiduously to ensure healthy living for all by placing the state on the world map of open-defecation-free status according to UNICEF. Painfully, this enviable status has been eroded on the altar of petty politics by the current government.
Meanwhile, if the current government finds joy in the demolition of public utilities, especially at a time when the nation is battling a cholera outbreak and other public health challenges, one must question what the Adeleke administration prioritizes and stands for.
Unless the government intends to further unleash open defecation and expose the inhabitants of Okefia—especially sellers and buyers in the area—to cholera, diarrhea, and other environmental hazards, there is a need to provide an alternative to the flattened facility in the shortest possible time.
May Almighty God heal our land!
