WaterAid with the support of PepsiCo Foundation handed over 6,000 litres solar-powered borehole and a rehabilitated sanitation facility of 15 cubicles to Ojodu Junior Grammar School, Lagos.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the handing over ceremony was done on Monday in the school premises where the projects were sited
Speaking at the occasion, Country Director, WaterAid, Ms Evelyn Mere, said that the partnership had also built the capacity of community members by training over 20 female area mechanics.
Mere said that WaterAid had also empowered and established a Water, Sanitation and Hygiene Committee (WASHCOM) to maintain and operate the new water facilities.
The country director said that the project was launched in November 2022 and was implemented with the support of PepsiCo Foundation and in partnership with the state Ministry of the Environment.
Other partners in the project included the leadership of the Local Council Development Areas (LCDAs).
Mere noted that women and girls were largely affected by the lack of access to the life-saving services offered by WASH facilities as they had to spend huge sum of money and time in their search.
“Over the past two years two years, working with our stakeholders, we have pursued the objective of improving the lives of about 173, 000 people, including men, women and children.
“We have done that through the provision of sustainable access to adequate water, sanitation and hygiene.
“We have already received the commitment of the state government to replicate the inclusive model for toilet facility in the state.
“I am delighted to know that the school has assigned designated and trained staff to maintain the facility.
“We appreciate PepsiCo for their support and call on the school management to maximise the use of these facilities and ensure their maintenance,’’ she said.
Earlier, in her address, the Principal of the school, Mr Adebowale. Onabamiro, thanked WaterAid and PepsiCo Foundation for raising the bar on WASH in the school.
He also extended appreciation to the Lagos State Government, Ministries of Education and Environment for their support in situating the project in the school.
Representative of the Lagos State Ministry of the Environment and Water Resources, Mr Ayodele Oyedele, thanked the sponsors and urged the school’s management to make judicious use of the facility.
The Sub-Saharan Africa Lead Team of PepsiCo Foundation, Ms Devenri Adanri, noted that the initiative was to increase school attendance especially for girls during their menstrual flow.
NAN reports that with the unveiling of the facility, over 800 students of Ojodu Junior High School in Lagos now have access to clean water and good toilet facilities under the Water, Sanitation, Hygiene (WASH) scheme. (NAN)