Ogun State Government has threatened to lock up houses without toilet facilities and get the landlords arrested to face the full weight of the law.
The government’s threat came in the wake of cholera outbreak which hit Abule-Otun, Lafenwa, Kuto and Idi-Aba areas of Abeokuta, the state capital and reportedly claimed five lives.
The Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Health, Dr Adesanya Ayinde, said the directive to that effect by the state governor, Dapo Abiodun would become operational this week.
He said the governor opined that open defecation in the 21st century had become unacceptable given the danger it is capable of unleashing on human lives, such as cholera and other infections.
Ayinde said government would soon send workers out to inspect houses round the length and breadth of the state, warning that anyone found flouting the order would face the wrath of the law.
He said, “Any house owner who fails to provide toilet in their house will be made to face the consequences.”
He said government had swung into action on confirming an index case by commencing thorough investigation in the suspected areas and visiting the health facilities in the communities for search in case of any active complaints.
He said, “Away from insinuations in some quarters, not only cholera causes vomiting and diarrhoea but the index case was confirmed by a laboratory test.
“Our action is to see that we disseminate correct information to different places. We have our Information Communication Education materials across the state, including the rural areas.”
Ayinde stated that the State Hospital, Ijaiye, Abeokuta, has been identified as referral centre for treatment.
He noted that cholera alert had been sent to all health facilities in the state in case of any suspected patient.
He added that the present administration in the state had decided to fumigate the affected areas through the ministries of Health and Agriculture respectively to get rid of any form of infectious diseases.
The permanent secretary said health workers were on the field for continuous surveillance, adding that efforts had been set in motion to sensitise the public on safe drinking, hand washing as well as personal hygiene and clean environment.
