Banjarmasin urged to free 35 urban villages from floating latrines

Banjarmasin, S Kalimatan (ANTARA) - A member of Banjarmasin City DPRD's Commission IV H Abdul Muis urged the city government to commit to realizing 35 urban villages free of floating latrines that directly discharge into river by 2024.
 
Abdul Muis said that this target must be realized that no more residents defecate in the open.
 
"We strongly support the movement led by Mayor H Ibnu Sina to dismantle latrines along Kelayan River, this must be done again in other places," said the legislator who is familiarly called Haji Mumuh.

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According to him, the city government must address the problems of public toilets that do not meet health standard, environmental sustainability and become source of pollution.
 
He said river water in this area is a basic need to be processed into clean water for the community.
 
"We also support the budget-wise for this program," said Abdul Muis.
 
Banjarmasin government has previously realized the construction assistance program of about 2,000 healthy toilets for the community from a target of 10,000 toilets in five sub-districts in the city.

Mayor H Ibnu Sina emphasized that his side is committed to freeing rivers from floating latrines as has been implemented in Kelayan River, atributary of Martapura River, on April 26, 2024.
 
Latrine demolation and Kelayan River clean up activities are related to the "Open Defecation Free" (ODF) target. 
 
He hopes this action to ensure that residents get more proper sanitation, in addition to making the riverbank area more organized.

This year's ODF target is hoped to be realized as soon as possible, so that Banjarmasin will be healthier. 

"There are already 22 urban villages free from latrines, this year's target is up to 35 urban villages," he said.

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