The Minister of State for Environment, Iziaq Salako has lamented Nigeria’s current state in the agenda of ending open defecation nationwide, noting that the country is lagging behind.

He stated this on Thursday, during a public hearing organized by the joint Committees on Environment, Water Resources, Ecologically Fund, Works and Emergency and Disaster Preparedness of the House of Representatives.

The Minister also advocated for the provision of more funding for effective implementation of policies to end open defecation in the country.
Salako however urged the government at all levels to empower environmental health officials to carry out their regulatory responsibilities.

Declaring the event open, the Speaker of the House of Representatives who was represented by the House Minority Leader, Honorable Kingsley Chinda said the House is committed to working with all stakeholders to ensure a healthy environment, water resources and public health of all citizens.

Co. Chairman of the joint committees, Honorable Pondi Gbabojor spoke on the need for government and all relevant agencies to intervene and take deliberate actions to mitigate the living conditions of their constituents.