Build more public toilets
Mmegi Editor | Friday June 12, 2015 13:13
The high work force, and the high unemployment levels, has also seen to the natural development of the informal sector.
The sector is one source of employment for some of our mothers, fathers, brothers and sisters, and cousins who set up temporary structures across the city in a bid to make a source of living.
Such structures protect them and their hardware from the sun, rain and wind. They also serve as the office during the day.
However, despite government being aware that there is mushrooming of these structures everywhere, it seems there is very little concern over sanitation or where these people relieve themselves when nature calls.
Walking around the city passages, one is greeted by a strong stench of urine and human waste. It is also common, even during the day to see a man standing on the side of a tree, or screen-wall, relieving himself. Although there are fines against perpetrators, such fines will not solve this problem if we do not increase the number of public toilets in highly concentrated areas.
In Gaborone for instance, all old shopping centres such as BBS Mall, The Main Mall and the African Mall are a magnet for these hawkers who wait from crumbs from big stores.
Of course, many of them go home with something to put on the table for their families. But the main question that often haunts whoever cares is, where do these people relief themselves? The answer is addressed somewhere in this article – the nearest passage or corner.
It is high time district and town authorities wake up and erect pay-toilets for the informal sector, lest we continue to swim in pools of urine and walk in human waste at every corner.
These pay-toilets can generate revenue for the councils and create employment for our youth. Once we have achieved these, then we will have a strong case to charge and fine those who relieve themselves in the bush, in passages and on screen-walls.
We are left with just a few months before we enter 2016, the year that we set ourselves goals, one of them being a healthy nation.
The government can explore the Private Public Partnership for this project. There many companies prepared to venture into any project with the government.
All the private operators are waiting on is a willing, committed and creative partner in government.
There is nothing that destroys one’s dignity than to walk into a stranger’s house to request to use their toilet. It is even worse when they refuse you such.
Today’s thought
“Although we take it for granted, sanitation is a physical measure that has probably done more to increase human life span than any kind of drug or surgery.”
- Deepak Chopra