As the global community commemorates World Toilet Day 2024, Reckitt, makers of Harpic, has reiterated its commitment to promoting clean and hygienic toilets for all Nigerians by marking the event.
This year’s global theme, “Toilets – A Place for Peace,” which underscores the crucial role of sanitation in fostering health, dignity, and sustainable communities, was marked by a gathering of stakeholders in Lagos and Abuja.
Reckitt, in collaboration with the Lagos State Ministry of Environment and Water Resources, emphasized the urgency of addressing Nigeria’s sanitation challenges during the commemoration in Lagos.
This commitment aligns with Sustainable Development Goal 6.2, which calls for equitable access to sanitation for all by 2030. Mr. Tokunbo Wahab, Lagos State Commissioner for Environment and Water Resources, lauded Harpic’s contributions in the fight to preserve the environment.
According to Mr Wahab, “When sanitation services are destroyed, damaged or disrupted, untreated human waste spreads in the environment, unleashing deadly diseases such as cholera.
“The act of Open Defecation in the State from statistics is about 3% according to WASHNORM 2021 report. The Lagos State Bureau of Statistics put this figure at 8%, therefore, our gathering here today is to proffer solutions to the sanitation in the State.”
In line with the Federal Government’s target of achieving an Open Defecation Free Nigeria by 2025 as stated in the Presidential Executive Order 009 of 2019, the Lagos State Government adopted the Clean Nigeria: Use the Toilet Campaign to flag off in the State in 2021.
This Campaign has since been taken to the grassroots and has been launched in 11 Local Government Areas LGAs) in Lagos State.
At the Abuja edition of the World Toilet Day commemoration, Harpic’s efforts were further recognized. Vice President of Nigeria, Senator Kashim Shettima, ably represented, and other top dignitaries were in attendance.
Harpic has championed access to hygienic sanitation solutions at both state and federal levels. This year, Lagos and Abuja served as rallying points for intensified efforts to address Nigeria’s sanitation challenges.
Reckitt’s General Manager for Sub-Saharan Africa, Akbar Ali Shah, underscored the importance of inclusive partnerships. “A clean and safe environment fosters productivity, lowers healthcare costs, and improves the quality of life,” Shah said.
“We applaud the Federal Government’s relaunch of the Clean Nigeria Strategy and reaffirm our commitment to this cause. Let’s spread the message of good sanitary practices and make our toilets places of peace. Together, we can achieve a healthier, happier nation.”
Harpic has previously refurbished and maintained over 150 public toilet units, and carries out toilet hygiene education through its Door-to-Door Program reaching over 4 million Nigerians since 2017. The aim is to accelerate the progress in making Nigeria open defecation free, paving the way for a cleaner, safer, and more peaceful country.