The United Nations International Children Funds (UNICEF), said more than 1,500 communities across 12 local government areas of Bauchi state, are now Open Defecation Free (ODF).
The Bauchi state UNICEF chief field officer, Mr. Bhanu Pathak, stated this Tuesday, at an exit meeting of Sanitation, Hygiene and Water in Nigeria, (SHAWN II) phase two, held at Crest Hotel, Jos.
He said the efforts of the Bauchi state government is commendable, especially the support to the realisation of the right of women and children.
“Let me also commend the state that even with the COVID-19 pandemic, 100 new hand pump boreholes, 65 solar motorised boreholes and 30 blocks of pour flush latrines have been constructed providing access to half a million people with improved water sources,” he said.
Mr. Pathak said the SHAWN II project started in 2014, after the completion of the phase I, with extension of scope that added other states, which elapsed in 2020.
“In terms of sanitation, more than 1,500 communities have become Open Defecation Free (DOF), through providing access to basic sanitation facilities with 4 LGAs of Dass, Warji, Bogoro and Gamawa validated ODF, by the NTGS,” he said.
Mr. Pathak further assured that the DFID/UNICEF, will continue to render technical support in scaling up washings to the LGAs and also scaling up the eradication of open defecation in the state.
The Commissioner of Water Resources, Jidauna Tulu, urged the participants to usher in “a new era and solution to the daring problems of our poor communities.”
