By Kelvin Ololo
The Cross River State House of Assembly has scheduled a public hearing on the Open Defecation (Prohibition) Bill, 2025, signaling renewed legislative action to tackle one of the state’s most persistent public health and environmental challenges.
The hearing, organized by the House Committee on Water Resources and Sanitation, will be held on Tuesday, February 3, 2026, at 2:00pm at the Mini Auditorium, Assembly Complex.
Open defecation remains a major source of water contamination and disease transmission, contributing to outbreaks of cholera, typhoid, diarrhea, and other sanitation-related illnesses. Public health experts warn that human waste deposited in open spaces is easily washed into rivers, streams, and wells, especially during the rainy season, placing entire communities at risk.
The proposed bill seeks to prohibit the practice across the state, promote the use of proper sanitation facilities, and strengthen hygiene standards in both urban and rural areas.
The lawmakers say the legislation will support ongoing sanitation programs, reduce preventable diseases, and improve environmental safety.
Adherence to the law, if passed, is expected to lower healthcare costs, protect vulnerable populations particularly children and enhance public dignity and safety. The bill will also align with broader national and global sanitation goals aimed at eliminating open defecation.
The public hearing is open to stakeholders, civil society groups, traditional institutions, and residents, offering a platform for input before the bill proceeds through the legislative process.
The Assembly said the initiative reflects its commitment to a people-centered approach to governance, emphasizing public health, environmental protection, and sustainable development.
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