As part of the efforts to achieve certified Open Defecation-Free status for the entire state, Bauchi State has embraced a set of six-point revised designs for public toilets.
Dr Ibrahim Kabir, Director General of the Bauchi State Environmental Protection Agency, BASEPA, stated this in a communiqué issued after the stakeholders' meeting on Friday in Bauchi.
The move is to improve access to toilets in markets and motor parks by providing toilets that women and girls can use without worries or concerns in Bauchi State through a user-centred design approach.
According to Kabir, the partnership with WaterAid Nigeria resulted in the development of six climate-resilient designs tailored for diverse contexts and businesses.
“Moreover, all state ministries, departments, and agencies are instructed to incorporate the associated costs into their annual budgeting processes. Public toilet owners in the state are mandated to upgrade existing facilities to align with the features of the newly adopted design.
“The new toilet design is officially adopted for all public places; we recognised the need to review the checklist for licence, operation permit and inspection of public toilets.
“All ministries, departments and agencies in the state will reflect the cost contained in the design and bill of quantities in annual budget processes. Public toilet owners in the state would be mandated to improve existing toilets to incorporate the features of the new design,” he said.
