Taskforce arrests 16 offenders for open defecation in Delta
By Nosa Akenzua, Asaba
Sixteen persons were in Asaba, Delta state on Sunday arrested for allegedly defecating in the open by members of the taskforce on sanitation.
The suspects were arrested in the early hours along the Asaba- Benin Expressway before Asaba Airport by men and officers of the taskforce recently set up by the state government to check the activities of persons who have formed the habit of defecating in the open.
Permanent Secretary, Delta state Ministry of Environment, Precious Anuku, who spoke to journalists in Asaba, said the suspects will be prosecuted according to the law.
He said that as part of the efforts to prevent open defecation, especially in the rural areas and public places, the ministry of environment has embarked on sensitization / awareness campaigns on sound environmental practice with the aim of promoting safe and healthy living among Deltans.
“We are starting serious sensitization awareness to all places across the state and it will be to stop open defecation for healthy living and others.
“The state government has constructed ventilated improved pit toilets in rural areas and public places, markets and motor parks to discourage open defecation practices and we have started the arrest of violators and offenders,” Akunu disclosed.
