For improved hygiene and sanitation in the rural communities, 400 households in Etim Ekpo and Ukanafun Local Government Areas of Akwa Ibom State are beneficiaries of modern toilet facilities named: SaTo toilet pan.
SaTo is the name of a low-cost toilet first developed with American Standard, with financial support from the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation. Designed for parts of the world where there are no sewer systems, the SaTo has sold more than 1 million units so far.
Under the first phase of the programme, 160 are benefiting households from Nkwot Ikono and Abat Town in Etim Ekpo Local Government Area, while 240 households in Nsekhe, Ukanafun Local Government Secretariat, Motor Park at Ikot Akpa Nkuk in Ukanafun, are the beneficiaries.
The gesture is facilitated by Amrex Ventures in conjunction with Indorama Eleme Fertilizer & Chemicals Limited, Port Harcourt initiative through extensive network of Agro dealers.
The installation of the toilet facilities is supervised by Shobal Global Limited.
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Flagging off the installation exercise at Civic Centre, Nsekhe in Ukanafun, the field Agronomist of Indorama Eleme Fertilizer & Chemicals Limited, Port Harcourt, Mr. Akaninyene Isaiah said the programme is aimed at ending open defecation, which is the focus of UNICEF and World Health Organisation (WHO).
Isaiah pledged to provide more toilet facilities in the second phase of the programme and to accommodate more communities in the state.
Addressing the beneficiaries, the CEO of Amrex Ventures, Elder Amos Udom said the project is aimed at providing safe, sustainable sanitation and hygiene services to people in the rural communities.
Udom lauded SATO, a global provider of affordable and sustainable toilets and hand washing products, and remarked that being the largest fertilizer producer in Africa, the gesture would enable the farmers to access affordable water and efficient sanitation system for easy use and maintenance.
He commended the beneficiaries of the SATO’s toilet facilities, assuring that Indorama plans to reach more beneficiaries in due time.
The Ukanafun-born politician said the initiative will help to curb open defecation and such diseases as diarrhoea and typhoid.
Chief Joshua Udo Usoro from Nsekhe Village and also a beneficiary thanked Indorama for providing the toilet facilities in the area and assured to preserve them.
Usoro applauded Amos Udom for always aligning himself with rural dwellers and for showing interest in their sanitation condition, describing the gesture as the right step in the right direction.
Mrs Ikwo George Uduak also from the same village lauded the company for caring about the hygiene and sanitation of the villagers hence the provision of the facilities to check against possible outbreak of water-borne diseases.
Speaking too, Kingdom Nkantion of Ukanafun Motor Park commended the company for installing the toilet facilities in the park for the convenience of passengers and park managers.
Mr. Essien Nelson Mboh of Nkwot Ikono thanked Amrex Ventures and Indorama for the gesture, and pledged the readiness of the people to make good use of the facilities.
Speaking too, Mr. Ime Benson Ossom also from Nkwot Ikono applauded the kind gesture of the two companies for providing the facilities to the people as a way of ending the common practice of open defecation.
The event was witnessed by an agro- business dealer, Mr. Samuel Nwajuba of Shobal Global Limited.
