Kaduna state government has declared a state of emergency in the Water, Sanitation and Hygiene (WASH) sector, to enable it attain the national goal of making Nigeria Open Defecation Free (ODF) by 2025.
A statement signed by the Special Adviser on Media and Communication to Governor Nasir el-Rufai, Mr Muyiwa Adekeye, on Thursday said the state of emergency would enable the state to build on the success of the Sanitation, Hygiene and Water in Nigeria (SHAWN II) programme.
The Special Adviser said that “significant progress is being recorded in riding the state of open defecation. Jaba Local Government Area has been validated by UNICEF as having attained ODF status.
‘’As at May 2020, 2,269 communities in the state have attained UNICEF ODF status. This was achieved through the implementation of relevant WASH projects and consistent sensitisation of communities. Steps are being taken to achieve statewide ODF status across the 23 local government areas.”
According to Adekeye, ‘’the state government places priority on the provision of clean and safe water and promotion of basic hygiene. These are central to delivering quality health care and life expectancy which are important human development indices.
‘’Also, water and sanitation are very critical in preventing killer diseases like cholera, Lassa fever and typhoid, as well as Covid-19,’’ the statement noted.
The Special Adviser disclosed that the state’s Rural Water Supply and Sanitation Agency (RUWASSA) rehabilitated 110 boreholes across Kaduna state in 2019, with funding from UNICEF. By May 2020, RUWASSA has rehabilitated another 216 boreholes in various communities across the state.
“In addition, local artisans were trained and provided with tool kits to assure future repairs of the boreholes, enhance community participation and ownership as well as the sustainability of the installations,’’ he added.
The statement promised that Kaduna state government will continue to invest in human and material resources to eliminate open defecation.
Adekeye who noted with gratitude UNICEF’s role in helping Kaduna state to achieve ODF status, added that the UN body has been a very supportive ally in that effort.
Kaduna: El-Rufai declares state of emergency in WASH sector
