A civil society organization, Conscience for Human Rights and Conflict Resolution (CHRCR), has called on Kogi state government to review its sanitation policy to reflect current challenges in the state.
In a statement on Thursday, the Executive Director of CHRCR, Comrade Idris Miliki Abdul called for a declaration of a state of emergency on water and sanitation in Kogi state without further delay.
Miliki stated that as the new government in Kogi State under the leadership of Alhaji Usman Ododo settles down, there is the need to review the policy on sanitation based on environmental challenges posed by the high vehicular movement through the state.
He added that the continued lack of portable water in the state capital is worrisome.
“Lokoja, the state capital, plays host to various markets and motor parks, but the situation in those places is worrisome, as thy are unkept.
“We are also worried as it seems there is no demarcation between the Sanitation Board and the company expected to clean Lokoja town. As in many occasions, the government vehicles are been used by private companies engaged in cleaning the city.
“Worst of it all is the unavailability of portable water in Kogi state, particularly in Lokoja that host both Rivers Niger and Benue. It is condemnable that a state capital like Lokoja will stay without water. Open defecation as become alarming rate in Lokoja town and across the state.
“Refuse are scattered across the town, without the evacuation as at when due, worst of all is the refuses dump sites have remain unkept without proper management.
We call for a state of emergency on water and sanitation in Kogi state, without further delay,” he said.
Miliki recommended that a specific date be set aside for cleaning specific market and all markets which can not be done on the same day across board, adding that this will not cost government beyond supervision as all markets and motor parks should have a specific day and time for cleaning that will improve sanitation in those places.
He called for a stakeholders’ conference on environment sanitation in Kogi state that will generate ideas on how to move this all important sector forward. He added that the confab should include genuine professionals and relevant stakeholders.
