The Federal Government has expressed its commitment to the provision of adequate Water, Sanitation and Hygiene (WASH) in the country.
Mrs Elizabeth Ugo, the Director, Water Quality Control and Sanitation, Federal Ministry of Water Resources and Sanitation, said this during a one-day state-inception event on WASH Systems on Tuesday, June 11, 2024, in Kano.
According to her, investment in water and sanitation yields enormous benefits to individuals and the nation at large.
She said that access to clean water, adequate sanitation and proper hygiene practices were fundamental to human health and dignity.
Represented by Chief Scientific Officer of the ministry, Hajiya Amina Musa, Ugo said that many communities continued to face challenges in these areas, impacting their health, economic stability and overall quality of life.
“Our aim is to address these challenges by working together with local communities, governmental and non-governmental agencies, and international partners.
“We aim to build resilient WASH systems that are sustainable, inclusive and capable of meeting the needs of all individuals, particularly the vulnerable,” she said.
Ugoh further said that water quality was fundamental to human health, environmental sustainability and economic development.
She said that the Federal Government had a state-of-the-art water quality laboratory in Kano.
She described the facility as a milestone in their effort to ensure safe and clean water for all.
“Carrying out regular water quality testing helps to identify contaminants, ensure compliance, monitor systems and protect public health, among others.
“Our laboratory is equipped with advanced technology and staffed with skilled professionals dedicated to providing accurate and reliable water quality assessments.
“We encourage stakeholders to utilise this facility to help maintain the highest standards of water safety,” Ugo further said.
She commended the efforts of development partners and stakeholders, whose support and collaboration, she said, were instrumental to the success of the programme.
Earlier, the Programme Manager, WASH Systems Strengthening, Mr John Wali, said that the programme aimed to significantly enhance access to and utilisation of inclusive, reliable and resilient WASH services in Nigeria and Sierra Leone.
He said that WASH Systems for Health (WS4H) was funded by the Foreign Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) to the tune of 5 million pounds and the programme duration was four years (2024-2028).
He said that WS4H focuses particularly on empowering women and girls.
Wali further said that the programme geared towards fortifying the foundational pillars, such as institutions, policies and regulations.
He also said that Self Help Africa (SHA), an international development organisation headquartered in Dublin, Ireland, was committed to the vision of “sustainable livelihoods and healthy lives for all in a changing climate.
“With nearly 50 years of experience working across 17 countries, including Nigeria since 1999, our organisation has achieved significant milestone, such as facilitating Nigeria’s first open defecation free LGA in 2016.
“In Nigeria, as implementing partners, SHA will forge strategic alliances with the Ministry of Water Resources and Sanitation, alongside State Government and relevant institutions, in conjunction with a consortium of partners,” Wali said.
By Muhammad Nur Tijani
