Government Targets Toilets: Ogun State to Seize Old and New Homes Sans Bathrooms, Warns Commissioner

In a bid to eliminate open defecation within the state, the Ogun State government has issued a stern warning to property owners, both of old and new houses, lacking proper toilet facilities. The State Commissioner for Environment, Mr. Ola Oresanya, emphasized this directive in a statement released to InfoStride News in Abeokuta on Wednesday.

According to Oresanya, houses with dilapidated toilets or those lacking adequate toilet facilities altogether are at risk of being forfeited to the State Government. The Commissioner urged landlords to either construct toilets or repurpose rooms within their buildings to serve as toilets. Failure to comply with this directive may result in the government taking possession of the properties.

The Ogun State government has been proactive in addressing the issue of open defecation, having issued multiple warnings and abatement notices to property owners over the past several months. Oresanya emphasized that property owners were given ample time for compliance, and any resistance to the government’s directive would face consequences.

“We have given the landlords a period for compliance, so we are not ready to persuade anyone again to do the needful. For the avoidance of doubt, we are now making it public again that any old or new houses without toilets will be forfeited to the government. After all, the environmental laws of the state allowed the government to take over such homes in the public interest,” Oresanya stated.

Additionally, the Commissioner highlighted that landlords might face charges for jeopardizing the safety and well-being of residents within their communities. This stern stance aims to enforce compliance with environmental regulations and ensure the creation of a hygienic living environment for all residents.

Oresanya called upon the residents of Ogun State, Community Development Associations, and Central Development Councils to collaborate with the State Government in achieving a defecation-free state. The emphasis on collective responsibility underscores the need for a community-wide effort to address this sanitation issue comprehensively.

As the government takes stringent measures to curb open defecation, it underscores the broader importance of public health and environmental sustainability. By enforcing compliance with toilet facilities in both old and new properties, the Ogun State government aims to create a safer and healthier living environment for its residents.

In conclusion, the warning issued by the Ogun State government serves as a pivotal step in its commitment to eradicating open defecation. The emphasis on forfeiture of properties underscores the seriousness with which the government is approaching this issue. As residents and property owners navigate these regulations, the collaborative efforts of both the government and the community are crucial in achieving a hygienic and defecation-free environment in Ogun State. InfoStride News will continue to provide updates on this matter as it develops.