The Kogi Government said it was in the process of constructing public toilets in strategic areas in Lokoja to check open defecation in the state capital.
This is contained in a statement signed by Mr Mike Abu, the Chief Press Secretary to the state Deputy Governor, Mr Yomi Awoniyi, in Lokoja on Thursday.
It said that the decision was announced by Gov. Idris Wada at a meeting with the members of the organising committee of the National Environmental Sanitation Day 2014 headed by the Minister of Environment, Mrs Laurentia Malam.
The statement said that the decision was to check indiscriminate open defecation by residents.
It said the state had also adopted a participatory approach toward ensuring a cleaner environment in major cities across the state.
The statement quotes the governor as saying that the strategies would involve community leaders and youth groups as well as the private sector involved in collection and management of refuse disposal.
It commended the decision of the Federal Government to allow the state to host the National Environmental Sanitation Day 2014 and called for a greater collaboration between the state and the Federal Ministry of Environment.
The statement explained the representative of the minister, Mrs. Funmilayo Oyeyipo, noted that the selection of the state was in recognition of the state government’s good environmental policy.
The National Environmental Sanitation Day started in 2005 and is being celebrated annually on June 28.
It is aimed at promoting healthy living among the populace through massive awareness creation and reward for innovative best practices. (NAN)
