Over the weekend, the Lagos State Government conducted a training workshop aimed at equipping Public Toilet Operators and Janitors with new sanitation techniques to enhance service delivery across the state. The event, held at the Lagos Chamber of Commerce and Industry in Ikeja, was part of the state’s ongoing efforts to eradicate open defecation and improve public health.
Speaking at the event, the Special Adviser on Environment, Engr. Olakunle Rotimi-Akodu, emphasized the importance of the initiative. “The State Government recognizes the crucial role of janitors and public toilet operators and the need to build capacity to meet the challenges of service delivery in tandem with the T.H.E.M.E.S plus agenda of the present administration,” he said.
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Akodu highlighted the state’s commitment to the Federal Government’s target of achieving open defecation-free status by 2025, noting that Lagos had adopted the “Clean Nigeria: Use the Toilet” campaign. He also stressed the importance of enforcement, stating, “Enforcers have started arresting people who defecate on the median along Lagos/Ibadan Expressway (Lagos Axis) and they will be prosecuted accordingly. I hope this will put fear amongst other culprits.”
The workshop also addressed global standards and best practices in public toilet management, with Akodu revealing plans to construct 100 new public toilet units across the state. He stated, “The ongoing training workshop and capacity building is to equip operators with the skills and knowledge required to excel in their roles for a sustainable environment.”
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Permanent Secretary of the Office of Environmental Services, Dr. Tajudeen Gaji, reaffirmed the government’s commitment to improving working conditions for toilet operators, stating, “The Government will continue to ensure good working conditions for toilet operators and janitors.”
The training is part of a broader strategy to bridge infrastructural gaps and promote sanitation across Lagos, aiming for a cleaner and healthier environment for all residents.