Lagos Public Toilets Horrible, Lawmakers Cry Out

Lagos Public Toilets Horrible, Lawmakers Cry Out

Members of the Lagos State House of Assembly have lamented what they described as the appalling condition of public toilets in the state.

They lamented that the dysfunctional and poor sanitary conditions of most public toilets in the state could result in the spread of diseases.

The lawmakers listed some problems with the public toilets to include the total disregard for hygiene by the managers and operators of the facilities often characterised by irregular water supply, lack of provision of toiletries and disinfectants.

The House thus resolved to “call on the Ministry of the Environment and that of Women Affairs and Poverty Alleviation to direct the managers and operators of the toilets to renovate the structures to conform with modern standard and ensure regular water supply, toiletries and disinfectants in the toilets.”

It called on the ministries of Health and Information and Strategy to embark on public enlightenment campaigns on the dangers associated with unhygienic use of public toilets.

The House also directed local governments and local council development areas “to construct and maintain functional and hygienic toilets in their localities and to enforce the relevant environmental laws/regulations against defaulters who fail to observe the acceptable hygiene standards.”

While deliberating on the motion brought to the House by Omotayo Oduntan, representing Alimosho Constituency 1 at the House, Omowunmi Olatunji-Edet, a member representing Oshodi/Isolo Constituency 2 pleaded with the government to ensure impact assessment of public facilities.

“We only build them and hand them over to operators, the government should ensure proper construction of the facilities and ensure they are maintained,” Olatunji-Edet said.

Speaker of the House, Adeyemi Ikuforiji, who said there are laws governing public toilets in the state, committed the motion to the House Committee on Women Affairs and Poverty Alleviation headed by Oduntan, to look into the rules guiding public toilets in the state and report back to the House within two weeks.

—Eromosele Ebhomele