Water Supply and Sanitation Collaborative Council to boost access to water supply and basic sanitation with US$5,000,000 in Nigeria

[The InfoStrides]

The Minister of Water Resources, Mrs. Sarah Reng Ochekpe has said that the collective efforts for access to water supply and basic sanitation in the country has received a major boost by our development partners, the Water Supply and Sanitation Collaborative Council (RUSHPIN) to the tune of US$5,000,000.

The Minister was represented by Mrs. Laraba Bagaiya, the Director Planning, Research and Statistics at the official launch of the Rural Sanitation and Hygiene Promotion in Nigeria (RUSHPIN) Programme on the 4th November, 2013 in Abuja.

She said that this collaborative effort involving the active participation of the Federal, State and Local governments would go a long way in addressing the problem of poor sanitation and hygiene in the communities.

While speaking further, she pointed out that the population of Nigeria with access to basic sanitation and hygiene has been fluctuating from 37% in 1990 to 34% in the year 2000 and it as gone up to 41% in 2012, adding that this is far from MDG set target of 65% by 2015 and 75% by 2020.

Also, the Minister stated that to achieve the set target of the MDG, massive investment is needed to provide access to water supply and basic sanitation and hygiene.  "It is on this note, that we welcome the support and participation of our donor partners in scaling up access to water and sanitation", she explained.

The entry of Water Supply and Sanitation Collaborative Council (WASSCC) into Nigeria through the grant from Global Sanitation Fund, according to her, is a demonstration of the concern by the International community to assist Nigeria in scaling-up sanitation and hygiene.

She said, "The event of today, is a clear demonstration of partnership at work in addressing national development challenges and deserves commendation."

In a welcome address delivered by the Permanent Secretary, Baba Umar Farouk represented by the Director Human Resources, Mr. Elijah Ajiboye Adeoye; he said that the Rural Sanitation and Hygiene Promotion in Nigeria Programme is a collective effort involving the Federal, State and Local governments and the donor partners.

"This Program is being implemented in Benue state, involving six local government areas of Agatu, Gwer East, Logo, Ado, Buruku and Gboko and same in Cross River state involving Abi, Bekwara, Obanliku, Obudu, Akamkpa and Ogoja", he added.          

Commending the commitment of Government of Nigeria in the payment of counterpart funding, Mr. Adeoye stated that the grant of US$5.000, 000 by the Water Supply and Sanitation Collaborative Council through Global Sanitation Fund (GSF) was a clear indication of willingness that would go a long way in addressing the issues associated to poor sanitation.

The Governor of River State, Senator Liyel Imoke represented by his Deputy, Mr. Effiong Cobham, maintained that Cross River is determined to contribute its quota to the achievement of MDGs target.  He commended the efforts of the development partners, adding that the success recorded so far in the six Local Government areas, would scale up the programme to reaching others.

While speaking, the Governor of Benue State, ably represented by the Secretary to the State Government, Dr. Salifu David noted that access to sanitation has recorded a downward trend.  He therefore, charged stakeholders to scale up efforts in reversing the trend, because to him, access to sanitation is the corner stone of any meaningful development.