The easy practice of defecating in streams and creeks or right in the open to be washed back into streams has attracted fresh concerns in the Niger Delta region as the world marks ‘Toilet Day 2025’.
Families living in the riverine communities see nothing wrong in creating platforms on water to bathe and defecate, all straight into the flowing waters that end up as drinking water to another community.
Boat travellers pass though cluster of homes sitting on top of water who defecate openly into the waters.
On land, others openly defecate and allow the water to carry it away. Even refuse is dumped into flowing floods to carry away, nobody minding the destination of such dirty traffic.
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Now, the group, Youths and Environmental Advocacy Centre (YEAC-Nigeria), which joined the global community in marking the day with the theme “Sanitation in a changing world: We’ll always need the toilet”, called on governments in the affected states to launch serious campaigns against open defecation.
Fyneface Dumnamene Fyneface, the Executive Director, in a statement said the 2025 theme highlights the urgent need for improved sanitation, hygiene, and access to safe toilets, especially in the face of climate change and population growth.
YEAC-Nigeria said Rivers State, Nigeria’s treasure, was not exempt from the challenges of poor sanitation and open defecation. “The consequences are dire: increased risk of waterborne diseases, environmental degradation, and compromised dignity for our people.”
Other agencies in the region including the Niger Basin Development Authority had said open defecation was one of their major concerns against which they created campaigns and mass toilet erection projects.
Now, YEAC-Nigeria says as they commemorate this important day, it has called on the Rivers State government to take concrete actions to address the pressing issues of public toilet facilities, open defecation, hygiene, and environmental degradation.
The NGO thus urged the government to prioritize sanitation infrastructure development, particularly in rural and vulnerable communities; implement effective waste management systems to prevent environmental pollution; and promote hygiene education and awareness in schools and communities.
The group also called on the state government to support community-led initiatives that champion sanitation and hygiene; cleanup and fumigate communities where flood is receding from to disinfect the areas and mitigate diseases due to wastes, feaces and other contaminants brought by flooding; return monthly sanitation in Rivers state the enhance cleaner, safer and healthier environment for public safety; and recruit sanitation Marshals to support the enforcement of sanitation regulations and best practices for Rivers state to regain its garden city status.
YEAC-Nigeria called on the youths of Rivers State, to take ownership of their environment! “Let’s work together to create a sanitation culture that promotes dignity, health, and sustainability. Together, we can make a difference! Let’s make Rivers State a model for sanitation excellence!”
