BY ADENEKAN VICTORIA FAITH
WaterAid Nigeria has targeted to reach nearly 10,000 residents as it launched the third phase of its Water, Sanitation and Hygiene (WASH) in Bwari community of Nigeria’s capital city, Abuja.
The one-year project, titled “strengthening water and sanitation delivery in Abuja, Year-3”, aims to enhance sustainable WASH services in selected underserved communities and suburbs within Bwari Area Council.
WaterAid’s Fundraising Officer, Mr Onaivi Orisaremi, emphasised the importance of the initiative, stating, “We cannot build water facilities and toilets without promoting proper hygiene practices. Hygiene education is critical to reducing disease burden.”
According to him, the project will involve the construction of three water facilities and one sanitation facility, likely to be sited in a school, benefiting 450 schoolchildren and 6,000 residents.
He said 3,000 residents will also receive hygiene promotion and behaviour change campaigns to combat waterborne diseases, adding that to ensure the longevity of the facilities, three community WASH management structures will be established to oversee operations and maintenance.
“Our goal is to ensure facilities remain operational years after completion, with communities and government taking ownership,” Orisaremi added.
The project will also train community WASH structures on operations, maintenance, hygiene promotion, and water safety planning.
Meanwhile, the FCT Rural Water Supply and Sanitation Agency (RUWASSA) has pledged to provides technical and institutional support to ensure the project’s success.
This was disclosed by the agency’s Assistant Director of Planning, Mr Matthew Abu, who stated that the agency will render necessary support to ensure the success of the sanitation programme.
Speaking at the launch, Bwari’s traditional ruler, Ibrahim Yusuf, urged residents to take ownership of the infrastructure provided, ensuring proper maintenance and sustainability.
NatureNews reports that with this initiative, WaterAid Nigeria is taking a significant step towards achieving its mission to provide clean water and sanitation for all.