In a bid to ensure sustainability of Water and Sanitation projects at the grassroots, WaterAid Nigeria has trained Fifteen Water, Sanitation and Hygiene Community, WASHCOM members.
The training under the DP World supported AI WASH project in Lagos, is to sustain the collaboration with the Lagos State government to end open defecation in Ikorodu.
Speaking on the objective of the training which was conducted on September 25, 2025 in Agbede Omolaiye Community, WaterAid Nigeria Sanitation and Hygiene Officer, Mr Dare Oduluyi, maintained that the feat would be achieved when every resident has access to good toilet and water facilities to put an end to open defecation in line with the United Nations SDG goal 6 to end open defecation by year 2030.
Mr Oduluyi stated that the training would also equip the WASHCOM members the prerequisite knowledge on how to maintain the water facilities provided in their communities and also sensitize and educate community members on hygiene behavioral changes to ensure that in the next six months Agbede Omolaiye community will be open defecation free , waiting to be certified by the State and federal government.
He called on the Lagos State government especially the Ministry of the Environment and Water Resources and other WASH stakeholders to intensify campaigns against open defecation in Lagos to attain its megacity status, with increased budgetary allocation to the sector.
Appreciating WaterAid Nigeria for the training, the CDC Chairman Ikorodu North LCDA, Prince Adeniran Ogunbanwo reiterated the local government commitment to maintaining the projects through tariffs and donation to elongate the functionality of the Water Facilities in the community.
Some of the WASHCOM members being trained both male and female including Deacon Ajibola, said they have learnt a lot and would put it in practice and also educate residents in his location on how to practice the five hygiene behavioral changes to prevent diseases and thanked WaterAid Nigeria and DP World for investing in human capacity.
Another WASHCOM member, Mrs Titilayo Adeniyi, expressed optimism that members would not misuse the facility and promised that the water facilities would be protected against vandals.
Reporting byYemisi Dada