Students at Suban Schools in Kwara State are still defecating in open spaces despite the presence of a reportedly five-to-six million naira toilet project.
The
project aimed to eradicate open defecation and improve sanitation within the
school. However, students are still observed using open areas and other parts
of the school premises for their needs.
Suban
Schools, located in Abata, Ilorin West Local Government Area, includes two
primary schools—Shuban Primary Schools A and B—and has junior and secondary
school sections, serving about 1,000 students.
The
Kwara State Government has been active in efforts to eliminate open defecation.
On November 25, 2023, the state’s Commissioner for Water Resources, Hon. Usman
Yunusa Lade, emphasized the government’s commitment to collaborate with UNICEF
in this drive.
The
state allocated 200 million naira for the installation of toilets and
wash facilities in public institutions, including schools.
Concerns Despite Presence of Toilets
Despite
these efforts, open defecation remains prevalent among students.
The
school's infrastructure, including deteriorating classrooms, exacerbates the
issue. Community members have called for additional support to address these
problems.
She
emphasized the need for more functional facilities to accommodate students and
provide a better learning environment.
"Several
classrooms in the school are in poor condition. We urge the state government to
assist in refurbishing these facilities to provide a better learning
environment for our children."
"Many
of our children are attending school in substandard conditions due to
deteriorating classroom buildings. We invite you to visit and see the situation
firsthand."
"Some
children in the community are unable to attend school because their
parents cannot afford private education. The current infrastructure only allows
for a limited number of students, leaving many without access to proper
schooling."
A
community leader, who wished to remain anonymous, acknowledged the government’s
efforts, including the construction of blocks of toilets and classrooms
for the senior section.
However,
the leader lamented that despite the investment, the students continue to use
open spaces.
According
to the community leader, local elders gathered that the government spent
approximately five to six million naira on the toilet project.
"We
appreciate the government's efforts to enhance the school’s infrastructure,
including the construction of the new building and toilets. While we
recognize and value this initiative, we still have concerns. Despite the
investment of approximately five to six million naira, students continue to
defecate in open areas like bushes and drainages because the toilets are not
functional."
"The
building project has been delayed, and the current toilet facilities are
inadequate for the school's needs. Given that there are three
schools here, we urge the government to further support us by constructing
and renovating the decaying classrooms to better accommodate our
students and improve their learning environment."
Government Denies Cost
The
state government has demonstrated its commitment to combating open defecation.
Despite this effort, the 2021 WASH NORM Report indicates that 50 percent of the
state's population still engages in the practice.
To
address this issue, the government has initiated several measures, including
the construction of public toilets in schools and markets.
Responding
to recent allegations, Sulaiman Adeshina, the project manager at the Ministry
of Education and Human Capital Development, confirmed that the government is
building four blocks of toilets in the senior section of the school.
Adeshina
shared these details with the approval of the Commissioner for Education and
Human Capital Development, Hon. Sa'adatu Modibb Kawu, on Monday, August 5,
2024.
Adeshina
refuted claims that the government allocated five or six million naira to the
project. He stressed that the ministry cannot determine a fixed budget for the
project, as only building professionals can accurately assess its value.
"We
are constructing four blocks, each containing about three toilets in the
school. I'm not sure where the figure of 5 or 6 million came from, but only
professionals can accurately determine the project's cost."
"The
ministry cannot assign a specific value to the project because its procurement
involved surveyors, architects, and other building professionals who are
responsible for quantifying the value."
“We
plan to complete reticulation of the toilets, ensured there is smooth supply of
water to the toilets, school, and neigbouring communities.”
"We
have visited the school, and the government will take action regarding the
condition of the classrooms. Efforts are being made to ensure that the school's
infrastructure meets established standards."
Professional Provide Insight
Sam
Oyewole, a Lagos-based Civil Engineer with about 6 years active practice
provided insights into the potential costs of similar projects in Lagos.
"We
are talking about the construction of about four toilets. And this is part of
the project that was recently constructed by my team in Lagos here and it was a
few thousand short of four million naira to do that in Lagos. I believe in
Ilorin which should cost about a million less."
"Because
some of the factors for constructing that four number of toilets in Lagos
differ from the cost of constructing that same structure in Kwara state."
"I
believe the cost of Labour, land, and renting equipment, in Kwara state is
different and cheaper than in Lagos state. Also the approvals you get in Lagos,
the payment you have to pay, the Omo-Onile levies, Kwara state has not gotten
to that level."
It
is a lot cheaper to build in Kwara state than in Lagos. I believe the project
can be estimated to be around 3-3.5 million naira in Ilorin.
"The
cost of the project can also be influenced by the project's payment terms. If
it is a cash or mobilization to site and delivery pay, the cost is different
from when the contractors have to source from the fund. So the discussion they
have around the project will determine the cost of the project."
"So the cost of the project is not reflective of an actual price of building that same structure anywhere around Ilorin, so the cost of the project will be determined or known when the details around the sourcing and procurement will be defined."
This story was produced with support from the Wole Soyinka Centre for Investigative Journalism (WSCIJ) under the Collaborative Media Engagement for Development Inclusivity and Accountability Project (CMEDIA) funded by the MacArthur Foundation
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