By Ojugbele Omotunde
WaterAid Nigeria, in collaboration with its esteemed partners, recently inaugurated a pivotal Female Water and Sanitation Hygiene (WASH) facility at the LEA Primary School in a significant step towards enhancing hygiene standards and water accessibility.
The inauguration ceremony, held on Friday, unfolded at the LEA Primary School, Tudun-fulani, situated within the Bwari Area Council of Abuja.
The event garnered the presence of community chiefs, leaders, council staff, Heads of Departments, alongside esteemed teachers and enthusiastic pupils, marking a collective effort towards bolstering sanitary conditions within the educational sphere.
Mrs. Evelyn Mere, the distinguished Country Director of WaterAid, underscored the significance of the occasion, aligning it with the commemoration of the 2024 World Water Day, themed “Water for Peace.”
She elaborated on the collaborative endeavor, emphasizing the partnership between The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Days, FCT Rural Water Supply and Sanitation Agency, Cummins, and the Bwari Area Council administration.
Highlighting the organization’s proactive initiatives, Mrs. Mere outlined the construction and renovation of five new water facilities across communities including Dakwa, Barangoni, Zuma II, Sabon-Gari, and Tudun-fulani.
These endeavors, realized through collaborative efforts with donors and partners, aim to fortify infrastructure and foster alliances to facilitate enhanced access to clean water, fostering hygienic conditions and improved sanitation standards.
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Furthermore, Mrs. Mere emphasized WaterAid’s commitment to expediting access to safe water within households, a commitment exemplified through collaborative efforts with the Bwari Area Council to establish a comprehensive WASH investment plan.
However, she acknowledged that further strides are imperative. Strengthening systems, formulating policies, devising investment strategies, establishing Local Government Area (LGA) WASH departments, fortifying WASH platforms, and enhancing water financing mechanisms stand as indispensable measures towards aiding Bwari and Nigeria in attaining the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) by 2030.
In a significant stride towards community empowerment, WaterAid Nigeria, alongside its partners, initiated WASH programs in Bwari communities in 2023. These initiatives facilitated safe water accessibility for five communities, concurrently educating approximately 3,500 individuals on imperative hygiene practices and behavioral shifts.
Ali Dan-Hassan, the esteemed Executive Director of RUWASSA, heralded the opening of the new WASH facility tailored for female school pupils. Comprising essential amenities such as toilets, bathrooms, and changing rooms, this facility symbolizes a tangible commitment towards fostering a conducive learning environment.
Additionally, the renovation of the existing facilities, earmarked for male pupils, underscores a holistic approach towards equitable access to sanitary facilities within educational institutions.
Dan-Hassan implored the school management and community stakeholders to embrace ownership of these initiatives, fostering sustainability and enduring impact within the educational landscape.
John Gabaya, the esteemed council chairman, lauded stakeholders for their concerted efforts in realizing this transformative project.
He pledged unwavering support from the council, promising to institute necessary mechanisms to ensure the sustained functionality of these essential facilities.
Moreover, he reiterated the council’s commitment to collaborating with partners to facilitate impactful interventions, underlining a shared vision towards community upliftment and progress.
