The Ogun State Government has harped on the need for collective action from stakeholders to identify and address the root causes of open defecation in the state.

The Special Adviser to the Governor on Environmental Protection, Oluwadare Kehinde, made this known while fielding questions from newsmen during the week in Abeokuta.

Kehinde, while reaffirming the present administration’s commitment to combating the scourge of open defecation, maintained that partnerships with the private sector, community leaders, and Community Development Associations (CDAs) will help raise awareness and educate citizens about the dangers of the practice.

He opined that public awareness campaigns are the first step in eliminating the menace, adding that the government, in its determination, has constructed public toilets and sanitation facilities across the state, encouraging citizens to take ownership of the facilities.

Kehinde disclosed that the government has collaborated with the Lagos State Environmental Protection Agency to launch a joint campaign aimed at eradicating open defecation, specifically targeting the Lagos/Ibadan expressway corridor.

According to him, tackling open defecation in the state aims to reduce the spread of diseases, promote economic growth, and enhance the overall quality of life for its citizens.

Ogun calls for stakeholders collaboration to curb open defecation