Samoa marked National Toilet Day by launching two garden toilets at Lepa and Saleaula.

The toilets make up 10 garden toilets already launched in Upolu and Savai’i.

The Garden Toilet concept is an initiative by the National Beautification Committee and the Samoa Tourism Authority (S.T.A.) in collaboration with the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment (M.N.R.E.).

Water and Sanitation Sector Coordinator, Ruth Ueselani, said the project is funded by the European Union through the Water and Sanitation Sector budget support programme. 

“In our collaboration with S.T.A., they are one of our implementing agencies by constructing garden toilets,” she said.

“The purpose of this concept is to provide waste facilities where there is a great need, whether it is in rural areas or areas where there is no accessibility that caters to not only tourists but also the public.

Ruth said the Government usually launches two to three garden toilets every year during the National Toilet day.

Away from the launching of the toilets, National Toilet Day was also commemorated at the T.A.T.T.E. Building where participants highlighted the importance of innovative solutions for water and sanitation in Samoa.

There was also a primary school speech competition involving Saint Mary’s Primary School, Lepea Primary School, Moata’a Primary School, Vaimoso Primary School, and Marist Brothers Primary School.