The absence of toilets and other sanitary facilities in some local and traditional markets in the country has been a serious public health hazard and concern.

The unpleasant situation is fuelling Open Defecation (OD) in many markets as traders and buyers are denied places of convenience, forcing them to ease themselves in the open.

Besides food contamination, pollution of water sources and potential outbreaks of communicable diseases, the stench from faecal matter always hangs in the air in many of the major markets.

That creates an unbearable and uncomfortable environment for traders and visitors in general.