Effective Enforcement of Environmental Sanitation Laws: A Tool for Eradicating Open Defecation in Nigeria

Abstract

The practice of Open defecation is a major environmental and public health problem in Nigeria. Nigeria has been adjudged the first Country in Africa in the practice of Open Defecation. According to the National Outcome Routine Mapping of Water, Sanitation and Hygiene Service Levels (WASH-NORM) Report of 2018, about 47 million Nigerians defecate in the open, which represents 24 percent of Nigeria’s population. This paper therefore seeks to discuss negative impacts of open defecation in Nigeria. The paper adopts a doctrinal research methodology. This paper relies on information from textbooks, journals, newspapers and internet materials. This paper finds that the persistent practice of Open Defecation in Nigeria is caused by many factors but it notes that the weak enforcement of environmental sanitation laws is a major cause. The paper finds that the consequences of open defecation are detrimental to public health safety and also counterproductive. This paper concludes that effective enforcement of environmental sanitation laws will help in reducing the practice of Open Defecation in Nigeria. The paper recommends that the enforcement of environmental sanitation laws should be effective. The paper also recommends other measures to be taken to reduce the practice of open defecation in Nigeria. These are compliance monitoring and promotion, adequate funding of environmental agencies, regular training of environmental officers, judges, police etc.