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Tag: WASH

  • Kano commits N1.9bn to water, sanitation interventions

    Water

    By Tosin Kolade

    Abuja, June 27, 2024 (NAN) The Kano State Government has earmarked over N1.9 billion in its 2024 budget for the development of water and sanitation infrastructure to improve the lives of its residents.

    Mrs Binta Lawani, Permanent Secretary, Kano State Ministry of Rural Community Development, announced this at the two-day WASH Systems for Health (WS4H) National Training Workshop on Thursday in Abuja.

    The WS4H programme, convened by SelfHelp Africa, is a £5 million FCDO-funded initiative to improve access to inclusive, reliable, and climate-resilient water and sanitation services in Cross River and Kano States.

    Lawani said that the intervention was necessary, following Kano’s large population and the urgent need to enhance access to potable water and sanitation facilities.

    She said that the state recognised addressing the issue as a priority for inclusive development and environmental improvement.

    Lawani also said that the written agreement demonstrated the government’s commitment, not only in terms of counterpart financing but also in allocating budget funds where they were most needed.

    Joy Aderele, Country Director of SelfHelp Africa, noted that the workshop aimed to strengthen institutions, political will, and stakeholder commitment, vital for sustainable WASH initiatives.

    According to her, there is a need for a holistic approach to WASH, emphasising that it should be a comprehensive service rather than just infrastructure, as this can lead to more effective and sustainable solutions.

    “Defining clear indicators to measure the strength of the WASH system is vital; these indicators should cover aspects such as accessibility, reliability, sustainability and impact on health.

    “Regular monitoring and evaluation will help track progress and identify areas for improvement,’’ she said.

    The country director, however, said that leveraging learnings from SHA’s 24 projects across 10 countries could provide valuable insights and best practices.

    She added that adapting these learnings to the Nigerian context would be critical to effectively address local challenges and opportunities.

    Shadrack Guusu, Head of WASH Programmes at SHA, said there was need to strengthen local institutions and communities for effectively managing and sustaining WASH services.

    He said the approach aimed to empower communities and enhance resilience, ensuring continuous access to clean water and sanitation facilities.

    Guusu stressed SHA’s role in advocacy and policy influence, working closely with government and policymakers to prioritise WASH in development agendas and secure necessary resources for implementation.

    He also emphasised the importance of exploring sustainable financing mechanisms, including public-private partnerships, to ensure long-term funding for WASH initiatives.

    John Wali, WS4H Programme Manager SHA, emphasised the importance of government support, noting that Kano government had committed funding for WASH initiatives.

    He expressed optimism that other states would follow suit, saying that the ultimate goal was to create an enabling environment for the successful implementation and scale-up of the programme.

    “We are looking forward to continued government support to ensure the programme’s success.

    “The collaboration with our in-country partners is crucial, and their expertise in market-based sanitation will be vital in achieving our sanitation goals,” he said.

    Will Tillett, the Senior Global WASH Advisor with SelfHelp Africa, stressed the need to address WASH challenges, including open defecation, sustainability of rural water services, and inclusivity.

    Tillett highlighted the importance of robust foundations to ensure the effectiveness of larger investments in the sector.

    He said that through system strengthening and securing increased sector finance, the programme aimed to greatly benefit Nigerians by promoting long-term sustainability and inclusivity in WASH services.

    In  his goodwill message, Mr Suleiman Adamu, former Minister of Water Resources and Sanitation, emphasised stakeholder collaborations and urged subnational ownership in WASH service delivery.

    Adamu, who is the Chairman of SHA’s advisory board, also said that getting water and sanitation services right would solve all basic health problems in the country. (NAN) www.nannews.ng

     

    TAK/CJ/

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    Edited by Chijioke Okoronkwo

     

  • FG, development partners chart climate-resilient path for Nigeria’s WASH sector

    FG, development partners chart climate-resilient path for Nigeria’s WASH sector


    WASH

    By Tosin Kolade

    Abuja, June 26, 2024 (NAN) The Federal Government has announced partnership with development partners to chart a climate-resilient path for the country’s Water, Sanitation and Hygiene (WASH) sector.

    The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that experts at a three-day national workshop gathered to develop the Climate Risk Analysis and Action Plan for the sector on Wednesday in Abuja. 

    The Minister of Water Resources and Sanitation, Prof. Joseph Utsev, emphasised the sector’s role in promoting dignified lives and sustainable development amid climate change challenges.

    Utsev, who was represented by the ministry’s Permanent Secretary, Alhaji Aliyu Shinkafi, said climate change presents a significant threat to humanity, impacting WASH services globally.

    He noted that the hazards of climate change exacerbate vulnerabilities in WASH facilities, leading to social and economic risks.

    He added that “in Nigeria, only 10 per cent of households have access to basic WASH services, while 23 per cent lack basic water supply, according to the 2021 WASHNORM report.

    “These include increased household medical expenses, reduced agricultural productivity and higher incidences of civil unrest.”

    These figures, he added, underscored the urgency to address climate-related risks in the sector.

    He cited recent cholera outbreaks as a stark reminder of the critical need for robust WASH services in the country.

    According to him, the Climate Risk Analysis and Action Plan aims to tackle the challenges head-on, providing comprehensive framework for assessing climate impacts across geopolitical zones.”

    Utsev urged participants to prioritise behavioural change, capacity building, innovative technology and community engagement for climate-resilient WASH services.

    “This plan is about long-term solutions to ensure climate resilience in WASH infrastructure and practices to benefit future generations.

    “Education on climate-resilient practices is essential for both children and adults to foster sustainable habits,” he said.

    While calling on stakeholders to play active roles in the initiative, the minister assured the ministry’s resolve to continue to allocate resources and create an enabling environment for climate-resilient WASH.

    Earlier, Mr Mukaila Babarinde, the Director of Hydrology in the ministry, highlighted the critical impact of flooding in Nigeria, affecting 34 out of 36 states.

    He explained that “as of November 2022, the situation had a devastating impact on 3.2 million people, resulting in 600 deaths and displacing 1.1 million individuals.

    “Erratic rainfall patterns and rising sea levels are increasingly challenging the maintenance of Nigeria’s fragile WASH infrastructure, particularly during floods and droughts.

    “Flooding causes severe damage to homes, farms and infrastructure, and it can also harm water and sanitation facilities.

    “This pollution of water sources and damage to sanitation systems increase the risk of waterborne and vector-borne illnesses.

    “Drought, on the other hand, reduces the availability of safe drinking water for households.

    “This scarcity makes it difficult to maintain proper sanitation and hygiene practices during climate crises.”

    Babarinde emphasised that the situation not only poses immediate health risks to families but has far-reaching impacts on education and the economy.

    He noted that the Climate Risk Analysis and Action Plan assesses Nigeria’s current climate conditions across geopolitical zones and proposes innovative solutions to enhance WASH services.

    On his part, UNICEF WASH Manager, Chiranjibi Tirawi, said climate change poses the most significant threat to humanity today, impacting every sector, including water services.

    He explained that majority of hhouseholdsin the country already face challenges with limited access to quality water services, underscoring the timeliness of collaborative efforts to change the narrative.

    Goodwill messages were delivered by representatives of WaterAid, state water agencies and the Ministerial Advisory Council, urging collective action to protect those most affected, particularly at the grassroots. (NAN)(www.nannews.ng)

    TAK/HA 

    Edited by Hadiza Mohammed-Aliyu

  • CSOs push for improved water, sanitation services

    CSOs push for improved water, sanitation services

    Support

    By Tosin Kolade

    Abuja, June 6, 2024 (NAN) The Society for Water and Sanitation (NEWSAN),  has pledged to support tiers of government in holding political leaders accountable for improving access to potable water and sanitation services.

    The National Coordinator of the group, Mr Benson Attah, said this at the opening of the sub-national stakeholders’ webinar on ‘Vote 4WASH Campaign’ advocacy efforts and progress on Thursday in Abuja.

    According to him, the meeting is aimed at tracking political stakeholders’ commitment towards improving access to potable water and sanitation in the country.

    He said the WASH Charter of Demand the need for budgetary allocations, institutional strengthening and political will in the sector.

    Attah said there was a need for prioritising WASH in the political agenda at all levels and to make WASH everyone’s business.

    “Today’s meeting is to enable us review the vote for WASH campaign to see how we’ve been able to engage political stakeholders to support WASH implementation in the country.

    “We cannot overemphasise the role of access to potable water and sanitation in the country, undermining WASH services in the country affects human development outcomes,“he said.

    Attah urged selected states and their coordinators to continue to work with key stakeholders through advocacy efforts to ensure WASH prioritisation.

    Ms. Bibian Ama from the NEWSAN secretariat, urged states to improve on their efforts as the Programme had a timeline that was running out and the need for progress to be made.

    Mr Musa Buba, Managing Director of  Taraba Water Agency and Sewerage Corporation (TAWASCO), commended the efforts of NEWSAN in promoting advocacy for sustainable water and sanitation services in the country.

    He said access to WASH cannot be overemphasised by anyone as it is central to sustainable development at all times.

    Buba  said the agency would continue to support the CSOs in the state for a cleaner and healthier environment.

    The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that five states of Osun, Gombe, Taraba, Plateau and Jigawa had representatives who spoke about advocacy efforts with commitment to do more in the coming days. (NAN) (www.nannews.ng)

    TAK/JPE

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    Edited by Joseph Edeh