By George George Idowu
The Federal Ministry of Water Resources and Sanitation (FMWRS) in partnership with African Development Bank (AfDB) have launched a framework committee that will be in charge of the WASH sector in Nigeria.
The committee which was initiated recently in Abuja will be referred to as Water, Sanitation and Hygiene Committee (WASHCOM) and has been charged with the responsibility of ensuring sustainable access to Water, Sanitation, and Hygiene (WASH) facilities across Nigeria, particularly at the grass root level rural.
According to the Minister of Water Resources and Sanitation, Prof. Joseph Utsev, the committee was necessary as WASH services is paramount in promoting human health and well-being.
He emphasized the need to have access to safe drinking water, adequate sanitation facilities, and proper hygiene practices as it is not just a necessity but fundamental human rights, as enshrined in the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) 6.1 & 6.2.
He said: “Findings from the 2021 WASHNORM survey highlight the urgent need for action to bridge the gaps in disparities between urban and rural areas, underscoring the need for targeted interventions.”
Utsev said critical issues affecting progress in the sector, including institutional structures, governance models, and the functionality of WASH systems, and called for institutionalization of WASHCOMs at the community levels to foster greater community participation, accountability, and ownership of WASH facilities, ultimately leading to improved service delivery and behavior change will be looked into.
The minister also urged stakeholders, including Government Agencies, Development Partners, Civil Society Organizations8, and local communities, to commit to the implementation and utilization of this framework through continuous sensitization, advocacy, and follow-up, to ensure effective formation, training, and management of WASHCOMs nationwide.
Utsev acknowledged the support of the AfDB and all contributors to the development of the framework and expressed optimism that the collective usage of this framework will instill a culture of WASH sustainability and drive positive change at the grassroots level.
Earlier, the Permanent Secretary of the ministry, Alhaji Shehu Shinkafi, represented by Director Water Supply, Dr. Nicholas Madu, emphasized the crucial importance of Water, Sanitation, and Hygiene (WASH) for human wellbeing and economic development.
He highlighted the challenges of the WASH Sector and called for the active involvement of all stakeholders, especially WASH facility users, in maintenance and sustainability efforts.
He added that various models for rural water supply have been tried globally, with Community Based Management (CBM) being the preferred approach in Nigeria.
Shinkafi urged stakeholders to work together diligently towards ensuring sustainable access to safe WASH facilities for all Nigerians.