By Abubakar Baba Ahmad
The District Head of Miri Alhaji Hussaini Abubakar Othman says the bureaucratic structure of the traditional institutions contributed significantly towards achieving Open Defecation Free ODF Status in Bauchi local government.
Alhaji Hussaini Othman stated this while speaking with journalists on the recent declaration by UNICEF and other key stakeholders in the WASH sector that the local council has achieved ODF status, joining eight other LGAs in the state.
Othman said the respect and regard accorded to traditional leaders from the Emir to the District heads, Village Heads, Ward and Harmlet heads down to household heads was instrumental to the successes recorded.
According to him, the strongest and most effective channel of communication and administrative structure in the traditional African setting is the traditional institution because of its special regard and historical antecedent.
"The role of traditional rulers is very significant because even the work of journalists cannot be complete without the contribution of the traditional institutions", he says.
The District Head said traditional leaders engaged in rigourous sensitisation and awareness campaign following directive by the Emir of Bauchi ensure that every household comply with environmental laws of building safe and improved latrines, provide portable water and hygiene materials to safeguard the family from avoidable diseases.
"You know, the traditional institution cycle has a very unique and effective structure. From the top is the Emir, District Head, Village Head, Hamlet head Or Ward Head, then the Mai Unguwa and lastly ths Household head and I don't think here in Africa we do have an effective channel to communicate to the general public beside the structure of the traditional rulers because when they hive directive, everything gets done to the later", the District Head explains.
He listed some of the challenges encountered before achieving the ODF Status to include the superstitious beliefs that defecating in open places is the safest and serene, individual perceptions and orientation regarding use of toilet facility among others.
"My subjects went round and told the people the dangers of open defecation, because more especially during rainy season, water will take the defecation up to the wells and where people are taking water most especially in an area whereby they don't have pipe borne water", Alhaji Othman narrates.
According to Hussaini Othman, all the Village, Ward and Harmlet heads under his domain were based in instructions from the local council and the Emir given matching orders to ensure all defaulters are punished in line with the relevant laws for sustainability of the ODF Status.
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