FG seeks to provide water and sanitation facilities to end open defecation

In its efforts to improve the health of Nigerians, the Minister of Water Resources, Engr. Suleiman Adamu FNSE, has called on all stakeholders to come together to provide water and sanitation facilities to Nigerians.

He made this call yesterday during the interministerial dialogue with some stakeholders to provide water and sanitation facilities, held in Transcorp Hilton, Abuja.

The Minister said obtaining optimal benefit from the provision of water supply requires the complementary promotion of access to adequate sanitation and improved hygiene practices.

“It is in this regard that we seek a robust collaborative effort towards achieving these goals. The WSSCC is supporting Nigeria with the provision of a grant of Five Million Dollars through its Global Sanitation Fund for the implementation of sanitation and hygiene promotion activities across six LGAs in Benue and Cross River States. The project is recording good success and it is expected that this will be scaled up to more LGAs”

Earlier in his opening remarks, the Executive Director of Water Supply and Sanitation Collaboration Council (WSSCC), Mr. Chris Williams said non availability of sanitation and hygiene facilities affect the health of women. He said the need in providing these facilities will reduce mortality among the vulnerable groups.

The Minister of Women Affairs, Senator Aisha Alhassan said 80% that need water and sanitation are women, children and the vulnerable. She urged the Federal Government to involve women in the construction, design and location of sanitation facilities.

The Minister of Finance, Mrs Kemi Adeosun lauded the project. She said budgetary allocation for water and sanitation has improved since this administration came on board. She added that her Ministry is starting a new programme under the U-Win to provide public toilets in public areas across the country.

Margaret Umoh

Director (Press)