Just when it was beginning to look like open defecation at the UNIZIK Temporary Site Junction in Awka had become a thing of the past, the menace has returned with what seems a vengeance. Artisans have once more taken over the space, utilizing every available space to defecate.
At a point, after much complaints, the authorities of the Awka Capital Territory Development Authority (ACTDA) hearkened to the calls by this paper to do something about the pollution of the UNIZIK Temporary Site Junction Area by reaching out to the appropriate authorities to checkmate the menace. Thus, for a time, people around the area breathed a sigh of relief, as well as those driving or walking past it.
It was particularly necessary for the place to be rid of defecators because of the health hazard they pose. Around the place are many makeshift food joints and other food vendors who battle with flies that feast on faeces and perch on what they sell. That is one way of triggering an epidemic.
Thus, when the people defecating in the gutter running along the middle of that road were stopped from doing so, many people were happy. However, as is customary in these parts, those saddled with the responsibility of ensuring the cleanliness of that place seem to have slackened their vigilance and the open defecators have once more returned.
It is inconceivable how anyone would choose to be defecating in public, especially when there are facilities where they can relieve themselves. We are aware that a public toilet was commissioned there during the regime of Governor Willie Obiano. We understand that the facility is still there. So, why would anyone choose to be defecating outside and jeopardizing the health of the citizenry? This is unacceptable and something that those concerned should not condone.
If the public toilet earlier built has no capacity to serve the populace there, more should be built and be properly maintained. Sometimes, it is poor maintenance that makes people avoid using public conveniences because of the dirty and unhygienic environment. Such people then, prefer to do the business in any other place.
The sordid environment of such places can also cause health hazards. Therefore, Government should ensure that public toilets are not just built, but properly maintained. This can be achieved when people are employed to take care of such places.
Anambra cannot attain the Dubai-Taiwan dream of the State Governor, Prof Chukwuma Soludo, when all the gutters are turned to public toilets. We therefore call on ACTDA to once more wade in and sanitize the said place and other similar places in order to really make the state a livable place.
