Enugu Poly Gets Sanitary Facility to Tackle Open Defecation in Enugu

Gideon Arinze in Enugu

The Enugu State Polytechnic, Iwollo, has received a 10-unit solar-powered hygiene and sanitary facility as part of efforts to tackle the menace of open defecation within the institution’s community.

The facility was executed by multi-energy company, TotalEnergies E&P Nigeria Limited, in collaboration with its joint development zone partners, the Nigeria-Sao Tome and Principe Joint Development Authority (NSTPJDA) and Exxon Mobil (ESSO).

Speaking during the official unveiling and handover of the project in Enugu yesterday, the Managing Director of TotalEnergies Upstream Nigeria Limited, Mathieu Bouyer, said the project was provided by the partners as part of their corporate social responsibility (CSR) initiative.

Bouyer, who was represented by the acting General Manager of Corporate Social Responsibility, TotalEnergies E&P Nigeria, Tonye Osifo, said the outbreak of diseases like Ebola and COVID-19 has shown that basic hygiene such as hand washing and a good sanitary environment can go a long way in protecting the populace from infectious diseases.

He said: “It is for this reason that we have decided to embark on this project, which is in line with our commitment to the well-being and economic development of not only our host states but the country at large.”

Earlier, the Executive Director of Finance and Administration at the NSTPJDA, Almajiri Geidam, thanked TotalEnergies for ensuring the quality performance of the contract, the authorities, and students of the polytechnic, and for creating a conducive working environment and the contractor for delivering on the project.

In his address, the Deputy Rector of the polytechnic, Ejike Ajibo, said the institution’s management would ensure that the facility is adequately maintained to ensure its sustainable use for maximum positive impact on the school community.