The Kwara State House of Assembly has issued a directive to the chairmen of the state's 16 local governments to prioritise the provision of latrines and other sanitation facilities to tackle the problem of open defecation, as reported by Guardian.

The directive was part of the House's resolutions following a Motion on Notice on the "Need to Discourage Open Defecation in Kwara State".

The motion, which was moved by Mr Bamigboye Olajire (APC/Oke-ero) and seconded by Mrs Mariam Yusuf (APC/Ilorin South), was deliberated upon during Tuesday's plenary session.

The House's resolution aims to address the issue of open defecation, which has serious health and environmental implications.

By prioritising the provision of latrines and other sanitation facilities, the state government hopes to improve the health and well-being of its citizens.

Leading the debate, Olajire expressed worry that open defecation remained unabated in both rural and urban areas of the state.

He lamented that this was in spite of the state government’s efforts to ensure that residents lived in an hygienic environment by building smart public lavatories.

“Open defecation triggered transmission of diarrhea diseases like cholera, typhoid, as well as intestinal worm infection and polio.

“Hence, there is the need to discourage the unwholesome practice to ensure a healthy population,” the legislator said.

Other lawmakers in their contributions commended the Gov. AbdulRahman AbdulRasaq-led administration for taking proactive action in providing smart toilets for the people of the state.

They said the governor’s efforts were in a bid to discourage open defecation and called on members of the public to complement such efforts.

While reading out the House’s resolutions, the Speaker, Mr Yakubu Danladi-Salihu, urged the governor to direct the Rural Water Supply and Sanitation Agency (RUWASSA) to sensitise the people of the state.

The Speaker said the sensitisation should be on the dangers inherent in open defecation, as well as ways to curb the unhealthy practice.