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Open Defecation: Divergent Views Rock Proposed Bill At Stakeholders’ Meeting

Published

4 years ago

December 6, 2021

Divergent views by lawmakers and other stakeholders rocked the proposed bill to establish the Clean Nigeria Agency for prohibition of open urination and defecation.

The Senate Committee on Water Resources on Monday held a one-day public hearing on the bill, but government agencies and the Federal Ministry of Water Resources differed extensively on the possibility of the agency, fearing that there might be duplication of responsibilities.

The Committee, which was chaired by Senator Bello Mandiya, could not arrive at a concrete direction given the bill’s trailing mixed reactions, particularly as the Federal Ministry of Water Resources which knocked the bill appeared to be convincing in their presentations.

Sponsor of the bill, Senator Clifford Ordia maintained in his submission that there need to end open urination and defecation in Nigeria, stating that the bill has passed second reading which the public hearing would afford the Senate to gather views for further legislative action.

Ordia said the bill would also complement the Presidential Executive Order 009 on enforcement and sanctions against Open Defecation System (ODS).

In his opening speech, Senate President, Ahmed Lawan, said the bill was necessary due to its implications on the size of the population, public welfare and the environment.

He said: “I want to urge the Committee to take a critical look at all presentations from stakeholders in order to arrive at a fair hearing.”

Also the Society for Water and Sanitation led by Attah Benson, expressed their own view, saying that there is a need for proper coordination and synergy on Sanitation and environmental issues between States and Local governments.

“State governments should strengthen their contributions to the issues because water and sanitation matters are human rights,” National Coordinator of the society.”

Sen. Bello Mandiya, Chairman of the committee, expressed concern that in spite of huge funds and availability of personnel with capacity, Nigeria still ranked the highest among countries that practised open defecation.

Mandiya was shocked that Nigeria had not attained significant progress in sanitation after four years of a committee to tackle the situation.

“Why have we not done well like India that tackled its situation within four years”, he asked.

Headline

Indian Court Denies Bail To Nigerian Man Over Drug Charges

Published

3 hours ago

May 28, 2026

Editor

A court in India has denied bail to a 44-year-old Nigerian national, Cristian Soporuchukwu, who is currently facing drug trafficking charges in the country.

Cristian Soporuchukwu initially entered India on a business visa but was later arrested over allegations of involvement in the sale of hard drugs.

Reports indicated that after arriving in India, Soporuchukwu travelled through Goa, Delhi, and Mumbai, where he allegedly established links with suspected drug traffickers.

He was accused of purchasing MDMA crystals and distributing them to college students and information technology workers.

According to reports, operatives of the Beguru Police arrested Cristian Soporuchukwu in April 2025 for allegedly selling MDMA crystals around Begur Lake and the AECS Layout Road area.

The New Indian Express reported that the High Court of Karnataka subsequently dismissed the Nigerian’s bail application.

“The anti-narcotics wing seized about 1 kg of MDMA crystals, a pocket weighing machine, 10 zip-lock covers, a mobile phone and a scooter from him,” the report stated.

Justice V. Srishananda, while ruling on the bail application, reportedly held that errors relating to the grounds of arrest could not automatically justify bail in serious narcotics-related offences under the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances, NDPS, Act.

The court further noted that Cristian Soporuchukwu had allegedly overstayed his visa in India, according to the report.

Headline

Strait Of Hormuz: US Announces Sanctions Against Iran

Published

4 hours ago

May 28, 2026

Editor

The United States Treasury has announced sanctions against Iran’s Persian Gulf Strait Authority.

Treasury Secretary, Scott Bessent, said this in a statement on Wednesday.

The statement extended the threat of sanctions to anyone paying the fees, saying they may be providing support to and receiving services from Iran’s Revolutionary Guards, and therefore may be exposed to sanctions risk.

“The Iranian military’s latest attempt to extort global maritime trade is proof that Economic Fury has left the regime desperate for cash.

“Treasury has deprived the Iranian regime of revenue for their weapons programs, terrorist proxies, and nuclear ambitions,” Bessent said.

Bessent added that the US has succeeded in disrupting tens of billions of dollars’ worth of revenue from being accessible to Tehran.

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US Launches New Airstrikes On Iran

Published

4 hours ago

May 28, 2026

Editor

The United States has launched new airstrikes in southern Iran.

The strike shot down four one-way attack drones that posed a threat around the Strait of Hormuz and then a ground control site.

A US official revealed that American forces struck an Iranian ground control station in Bandar Abbas that was about to launch a fifth drone.

The official described the strikes as purely defensive, saying the US intended to maintain the ceasefire.

Report says this is the second time in three days that the US has carried out self-defense strikes against Iranian military targets in southern Iran.

Recall that on Monday the US carried out airstrikes against Iranian missile locations and boats that US Central Command said were preparing to launch mines in the Strait of Hormuz.