The Speaker Oyo State House of Assembly, Hon Adebo Ogundoyin has described open defecation as an uncivilized practice which must stop in our community.
Hon Ogundoyin stated this shortly after the passage of the Oyo State Open Defecation Prohibition Bill into Law by the Oyo State House of Assembly on Tuesday
The passage followed the presentation of the report of the Ad-hoc Committee headed by Hon Akintunde Olajide (,Lagelu).
The bill was sponsored by the Speaker, Hon Adebo Ogundoyin, deputy Speaker, Hon Muhammad Fadeyi and Hon Olusola Owolabi (Ibadan North East 1)
A public hearing to harmonize the inputs of all stakeholders on the bill was conducted by the House on the 4th of August, 2021.
Hon Adebo Ogundoyin said he was happy that the bill was passed which makes it almost eighty bills that have been passed by the House in a little over two years.
” This is a new development in our dear State. The idea of our people throwing their faeces about must stop. This habit spreads some diseases and it is unhealthy hence the new Law is meant to discourage this harmful practice. Our Companies and Associations need to also assist in erecting and providing toilets in public places. ” Hon Ogundoyin counselled
The bill makes it an offence for anyone to defecate in the open or deposit faeces anywhere in the State while anyone caught and prosecuted is liable to a fine of #5000 or an option of non-custodial punishment of one week.
With the passage of the bill, it is now compulsory for house owners and companies to make provision for toilets facilities.
Anyone who fails to comply with the provision of the Law is liable on conviction to three months imprisonment or a fine of #50,000 or both.
The Provision further reads ” …where a company is proved to have committed an offence it shall be liable on conviction to a fine of #200,000. And any person or organization who organizes any event without making provision for mobile toilets, the person or organization shall be liable on conviction to a fine of #100,000.
The new Law further empowers the Oyo State Government to seal premises, whether residential or commercial that flouts the law.
It also makes it mandatory for Oyo State Government to erect public and mobile toilets in strategic locations across the State.
The passage of the bill into Law is in conformity with the mandate of President Muhammadu Buhari while signing Executive Order 009 titled ” The Open Defecation Free by 2025 and other Related Matters Order.
