FROM RABILU ABUBAKAR, GOMBE
In a bid to enhance public health and tackle sanitation challenges, Gombe State Environmental Sanitation and Protection Agency, GOSEPA, in collaboration with Sustainable Urban and Rural Water Supply, Sanitation, and Hygiene, SURWASH, Programme has initiated the construction of ten public toilet facilities across urban centers.
The project aims to accelerate efforts to achieve an open defecation-free status in Gombe, ensuring a cleaner and healthier environment for residents.
Executive Secretary of GOSEPA, Dr Auwalu Jada described the initiative as a significant step toward improving sanitation standards and protecting the dignity of citizens.
“These public toilets, located in markets, motor parks and other high-traffic areas, are crucial for reducing open defecation and promoting community hygiene,” Dr Jada stated.
Additionally, GOSEPA plans to establish 90 new waste collection points which will complement the existing ones across metropolitan areas, creating an integrated waste management system and curbing indiscriminate disposal practices.
According to GOSEPA’s Information Officer, Abubakar Tukur, the newly constructed public toilets will be strategically situated near waste collection points to ensure a holistic approach to hygiene and sanitation.
The facilities will be built in key areas including, Ibrahim Hassan Dankwambo Mega Park, Gombe Police Command Headquarters (GRA Road) Pantami Tike, Tashan Magarya (Kumo Town) Nasara GSM Village Gombe LGA Shopping Complex, Gombe Old Market Kwami Market
These locations align with SURWASH Programme’s Disbursement Linked Indicator (DLI6), which focuses on ensuring that communities achieve ODF status through targeted interventions.
