The Federal Government, through the Minister of Water Resources and Sanitation, Joseph Utsev, has sought the collaboration of the Catholic Church in ending the menace of open defecation in Nigeria.
A statement issued on Tuesday by a priest of the Archdiocese of Abuja, Fr. Paul Zirra, revealed that the minister sees the Catholic Church as a major stakeholder in Nigerian project, noting that the Church’s support would go a long way in the Federal Government’s campaign to clean Nigeria through promoting awareness to end open defecation.
It noted that Utsev paid a courtesy and advocacy visit to the Archbishop of Abuja, Most Rev. Ignatius Kaigama and urged the Church leader to join the campaign.
The minister was quoted as saying that the “clean Nigeria campaign”, through stopping open defecation, will greatly minimise diseases and pollution in the country.
The Archbishop appreciated the minister for the initiative taken by making the Church a partner in the campaign and for coming personally, making him one Minister who leaves the comfort of his office to engage with the “ordinary people”.
Kaigama explained that one of the very important documents of Pope Francis is “Laudato Si”, which dwells primarily on the care of our environment and created things.
He added that, “This task to care for our earth and our immediate environments is everybody’s business.
The Archbishop assured the minister of his maximum support and cooperation in this campaign and that he will encourage the priests to take this message to their parishioners.
