Grace Edema
The United Nations Children’s Fund has said private-sector investment in public toilet business is crucial in ending open defecation in Nigeria.
This issue, among others, was the primary focus of a two-day ‘Private Sector Consultation for an Open Defecation-Free Nigeria’ held in Lagos on Friday.
Experts at the event projected that private sector investment in public toilets would significantly help Nigeria achieve Open Defecation-Free status.
UNICEF Chief of WASH, Jane Bevan, stressed the importance of sanitation in Nigeria concerning the SDGs, noting that the private sector could access loans to build public toilets.
She said, “It is crucial to get everyone on board to achieve the SDG targets by 2026. We need to increase coverage. The private sector can establish public toilets and secure loans to fund sanitation facilities. Involving the private sector is key to ending open defecation in Nigeria.
“We are working closely with the FG and exploring the use of revolving loans to build public toilets. Additionally, we need widespread and continuous sensitisation across all areas.”
Speaking at the event, the Director of Water Quality and Sanitation, Federal Ministry of Water Resources, Mrs Elizabeth Ugoh, revealed that 48 million Nigerians are without toilets, emphasising the need for private sector investment to help the government address open defecation.
She said, “This gathering is focused on providing facilities for safe fecal disposal and planning to lift the 48 million Nigerians affected by open defecation.
“We need collaboration with the private sector to provide toilets and sanitation facilities in public spaces like schools, health centers, and motor parks, which they can also brand. The government cannot achieve this alone.”
Also speaking, Gabriel Ekanem of the National Economic Summit Group said the organisation would collaborate with the government to identify opportunities in the toilet business.
He lamented, however, that maintenance was crucial to sustaining the toilet business.
“The discussion revolves around investment, whether in building sanitation products and maintenance in public spaces.
“We will collaborate with the FG to identify investment opportunities, as it’s challenging to invest sustainably without proper management. There must be funding allocated specifically for maintenance.
“Regarding the facilities we have already started, we will identify locations and address regulatory barriers in certain states. If assets are not funded for maintenance, they cannot be properly maintained.
“Consistent funding is essential to ensure upkeep, and maintenance must be accounted for. A strong maintenance culture is needed. The government must also create an enabling environment with the right legal framework for investments. Additionally, we must recognise that local governments, due to their autonomy, are now responsible for the provision of public facilities,” he said.
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