By Gabriel Olawale
LAGOS — Reckitt Benckiser, RB has partnered with the Lagos State Ministry of Environment to upgrade and refurbished 25 public toilet units for four communities in Lagos State in its bid to tackle open defecation.

Harpic public toilet

RB, maker of various hygiene and home brands, such as Dettol, Mortein, Airwick, Durex, Nurofen, Gaviscon and the toilet cleaning brand, Harpic, said the initiative aimed to provide hygienic toilets for every Nigerian as a way of discouraging open defecation.

The newly refurbished public toilets are located in Ojota, Oshodi, Costain and Alausa. The toilets will be manned by 32 toilet managers under the payroll of Harpic, which is also providing other cleaning materials for the facilities.

Speaking at the official commissioning of the toilets, RB West Africa General Manager, Mr. Dayanand Sriram, stated that the Harpic brand was committed towards changing the stories surrounding open defecation and sanitation in Lagos and Nigeria in general.

Sriram added that the brand was interested in tackling the challenge of open defecation in Nigeria as a way of ensuring healthier and happier lives in Nigeria.

Sriram said: “The Harpic toilet refurbishment project will result in big positive attitudinal change, which will impact the lives of the people and the environment. Our immediate priority is to change consumer behaviour for a healthy environment. We want every Nigerian to use clean and safe toilets.”

In 2016, the leading toilet cleaning brand refurbished 12 units of toilets in two locations to Apapa residents in Lagos as part of activities to end open defecation Nigeria.

In his welcome address, Permanent Secretary, Lagos State Ministry of Environment, Mr Abiodun Bamgboye, commended Harpic for her continued support in building a hygienic and healthy environment in the state.

RB West Africa Marketing Director, Aliza Leferink, stated that the Harpic open defecation elimination programme is targeted to reach over 1 million homes in 16 cities to educate and encourage people to use clean toilets regularly.