By Huldah Shado
FCT RUWASSA, Wastebox Ltd to combat open defecation in Abuj
The Federal Capital Territory Rural Water Supply and Sanitation Directorate (FCT RUWASSA), in partnership with waste management company Wastebox Ltd, officially launched a significant initiative on Monday, July 28, 2025, aimed at combating open defecation across Abuja’s streets and motor parks.
The “Clean FCT: Use the Toilet” campaign commenced at the Area 1 temporary motor park, and is set to expand to multiple motor parks in the Garki District. The initiative targets a wide audience including drivers, commuters, traders, and residents, providing them with crucial information on the serious health and environmental risks associated with open defecation.
Chika Ibe, representing Wastebox Ltd, underscored the campaign’s ambitious objective: to accelerate Abuja’s attainment of Open Defecation Free (ODF) status by the year 2030. She strongly advocated for strengthened collaboration between the FCT Administration, citizens, development partners, Non-Governmental Organizations (NGOs), and various government agencies. This collaborative approach, she noted, is essential to effectively deliver the campaign’s message to residents’ doorsteps, thereby enhancing efforts to eradicate open defecation in Abuja ahead of the national 2030 target.
Ibe expressed significant concern over the persistent prevalence of open defecation, particularly in rural areas where adequate toilet facilities are often lacking. This practice, she highlighted, directly exposes residents to life-threatening diseases such as cholera and other infectious diseases. She stressed the urgent need for all stakeholders to intensify their efforts to eliminate open defecation across the territory.
Esther Shettima, a sanitation officer from FCT RUWASSA’s sanitation department, acknowledged that despite the availability of public toilets in strategic locations across the FCT, open defecation regrettably persists. However, she also pointed out that there has been significant progress in improving the territory’s Open Defecation Free status. Shettima cautioned against complacency, warning that any relaxation in efforts would hinder the achievement of the vital 2030 ODF goal.
