Lagos State has called on private businesses including banks, filling stations, and eateries to open their restrooms to the public as part of efforts to end open defecation and improve sanitation. Environment and Water Resources Commissioner Tokunbo Wahab made the appeal in a post on X on Saturday, stating that the state currently operates 1,710 functioning public toilets across Lagos. He emphasized that government cannot tackle the challenge alone and urged public-facing businesses to make their restrooms accessible where possible. The commissioner described the move as a collaborative strategy to expand sanitation access and support ongoing enforcement of environmental laws. Wahab confirmed that individuals caught defecating in the open are being arrested and prosecuted under existing regulations. He stressed that access to sanitation is a shared responsibility between government, residents, and private institutions. The state continues to invest in infrastructure while pushing for broader public compliance with sanitation standards.

💡 NaijaBuzz Take

The Lagos government expects banks and filling stations to provide public toilet access, yet offers no incentive or plan for maintenance, leaving businesses to bear the burden of a public service. With 1,710 public toilets already under state management, the call shifts responsibility to private operators without clarifying how usage will be regulated or facilities kept functional. Residents in densely populated areas may face refusal from businesses not required by law to comply, rendering the appeal symbolic. The gap between policy expectation and practical implementation remains unaddressed.

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