From Ibrahim Idris Kaura Namoda, Kaduna.
A kaduna base environmentalist and founder of Teku international farm Ibrahim Salisu has constructed The First- Bamboo tree toilet & Bathroom that is eco-friendly and can last for many years, with the aim of reducing open defecation in both rural and urbans centers.
According to him , the systems of practicing Open defecation brings with it health risks, linked to deaths from diarrhoea, cholera, typhoid and other dangerous diseases and infections.
It is also a risk factor for Violence against women and girls most especially those residing in a rented houses in both rural and urbans center were women may need to leave home in the dark to find somewhere to defecate.
The environmentalist pointed out that , embracing Bamboo tree toilet and bathroom would surely reduce the amount of environmental diseases and infections spreading through the air
He lamented that some Nigerians still defecate openly in bushes, gutters, sidewalks, motor parks, recreation parks, rivers and streets amongst others.
Ibrahim explained that , he has started training some young bricklayers ,laborers and some house engineers that are residing in the state, new ways and techniques on constructing bamboo toilet and bathrooms in order to reduce the daily battle by residence that are living in rented houses due to scarcity of toilets in their home.
“its really unfortunate that some landlords build many houses and rooms without thinking of creating more toilets for their tenants”
“Most landlord are after making money from the numbers of rooms without thinking of creating toilets and bathrooms and the health conditions of their tenants”
“there is an increase in infection diseases due to scarcity of Toilets in most of the rented houses that affects many women and little children”
He said, Bamboo toilet was very cheap and can last for years due to its strength and how it can equally adapt to all ecological challenges ,
Open defecation hinder achieving the targets set for sustainable development. Stressing that Poverty is one of the prime reasons for open defecation and this in turn has negative effects on social outcomes, wellbeing, ecosystems, and the economy.
He then called on Nigerians to embrace building Bamboo tree toilets and bathroom to reduce the burden of open defecation that is causing air and water pollution in the society
While calling on all stake holders including Government ,traditional title holders and religious leaders,women organization and youth to equally join the campaign towards saving the society against all form of environmental challenges due to human irrational activities
It could be recalled that Ibrahim is the first to construct Bamboo upstair in kaduna –Nigeria that attracted thousands of tourists from other countries to come to Nigeria
Also speaking, a science –climatologist Dr piman Hoffman ,who is also the assistant Director of African climate reporters says there are so many factors that contribute to open defecation in both rural and urban cities of Nigeria and some part of African which needs to be tackled in order to save women,childrens and elderly against the spread of infections and diseases
According to him high density of population, lack of toilets, poverty, and the belief that defecating in the open is normal among others.
He then called on Government, and non –governmental organization to join the Campaigh towards raising awareness on the need to embrace building Toilets and bathroom with Bamboo trees at home, schools,markets, football view center,mosque ,churches, and other recreation centers in order to halt the spread, pollution from open defecation.