The UN Children’s Fund (UNICEF), on Tuesday, March 15, 2022, urged the Bauchi State Government to establish Water Sanitation And Hygiene (WASH) units in the 20 local government areas of the state.
The Chief of WASH, UNICEF Nigeria Country Office, Mrs Jane Bevan, made the call in Bauchi when she led officials of the organisation on an advocacy visit to the state’s Deputy Governor, Alhaji Baba Tela.
According to her, the units will assist UNICEF to properly curtail the menace of open defecation and improve sanitation and hygiene in communities.
Bevan, who applauded the Bauchi State Government for the progress made so far in the implementation of WASH programmes, added that, with the achievements recorded, UNICEF would sustain partnership and support to the state to increase coverage.
She explained that UNICEF programmes were to assist in ensuring the attainment of the Sustainable Development Goals, which were key to making Nigeria an Open Defecation-Free country by the year 2030.
She said “it is a great pleasure to be in Bauchi and we are currently visiting states where UNICEF is implementing its programmes, especially on water sanitation and hygiene.
“We are here to see the progress so far made in Bauchi and to see how we can support further to increase coverage.
“We want to congratulate the state on the fantastic progress made so far and reaffirm that UNICEF will continue to partner with the state government.”
The deputy governor appreciated UNICEF and other donor organisations for their interventions in the state and assured the state government’s commitment toward timely release of counterpart funds.
He said “we need UNICEF interventions in Bauchi State; UNICEF and other donor organisations have always been there for us in the provision of funds and technical care on how to implement programmes for the benefit to our people, especially the younger ones.
“What we have discussed so far basically centered on what we have done and what we are going to do particularly on water, sanitation and open defecation.
“On our part, we will continue to support MDAs working on the implementation of the project to ensure proper coordination.”
By Olaide Ayinde
