By Peter Uwumarogie
Mr Tunji Olarinde, a public health expert, has appealed the private sector to assist in building public toilets to check open defecation and improve public health as part of their corporate social responsibilities.
Olarinde made the appeal in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Thursday in Gombe.
According to him, with constant increase in population, if nothing is done in that direction, we may have a serious public health issues on our hands in the near future.
“The provision of public toilet is one aspect that many companies in developed countries invest in as their corporate social responsibility.
“We are yet to see that in the country.
“ We must find ways to improve public health and curb open defecation through the provision of public toilets.
“I call on private companies to assist in the provision of such facilities.
“This is one area that companies can leverage to improve public and environmental health for the good of Nigerians.
“Public toilet play significant role in public health and improves environmental health and mental well-being.
“When clean public toilets are available, people can enjoy outings and other outdoor activities without fear to meet their psychological need when it occurs.
“When nature calls, you can’t really tell such a person not to indulge in open defecation but with functional public toilets, no human will chose to ignore such facilities and go for open defecation,’’ he said.
Olarinde said there were many health issues associated with lack of public toilet, adding “whatever can cause any challenge to public health is a big threat to life.
“ Private companies should look into provision of public toilets to curb open defecation and minimise the risk of water borne diseases, especially in rural areas, where streams and rivers serve as sources of potable water.’’
He also advised individuals, who could engage in toilet business to do so, to create job for themselves and others as obtained in some developing countries. (NAN)
