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.

Mrs. Titilope, a local resident, urged the government to improve classroom conditions, stating that the poor state of some classrooms hinders educational access.

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 written by Adeyemi ADEWALE and 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