An international NGO, Self Help Africa (SHA), has partnered Kano State Government to provide support and strengthen sustainable and robust Water Sanitation and Hygiene WASH services.
This came to the fore at a two-day “Visioning Workshop” on Friday, August 23, 2024, in Kano.
Shadrack Guusu, Head of WASH Programmes, said that Wash System for Health (WS4H) programme was being implemented by SHA in collaboration with the Federal Ministry of Water Resources and Sanitation and Kano State Government.
Gusuu said that the programme was a £5 million FCDO-funded initiative aimed at improving access to inclusive, reliable, and climate-resilient water and sanitation services in Cross River and Kano State.
He highlighted the need to strengthen local institutions and communities for the effective management and sustainability of WASH services.
The head of the programme emphasised SHA’s role in advocacy and policy influence, working with the government to prioritise WASH in development agendas and secure necessary resources.
According to him, the project is focusing on identifying systematic issues and gaps that exist in the sector and also supporting the state to build strategies and ensure that those gaps are fixed.
He said that the visioning workshop was a participatory meeting where sector actors come together to carry out an evaluation of the WASH system, using the building blocks analysis.
“Building blocks means different building blocks that make up the system and each of the building blocks are analysed by team of small actors.
“This is to ensure that the gaps will be identified, and a work plan is developed to see how those gaps are filled.
“Our aims is to ensure that the system is strengthened and leading to sustainable WASH services delivery in Kano State,” he said.
Some of the stakeholders emphasised Kano’s large population and the urgent need for better access to potable water and sanitation facilities.
They also highlighted the state’s commitment to addressing these issues as a priority for inclusive development and environmental improvement.
They further pledged to come up with a robust plan that would ensure the success of the programme.
By Muhammad Nur Tijani
