By: Dave Ayodele, Bauchi
Stakeholders in the WASH sector have called for the adoption of UNICEF Sanitation Pool Fund Initiative in Bauchi by other states to scale up the construction of improved toilets by households to check open defecation in Nigeria.
This formed part of the outcome of a one day stakeholders workshop organized by
WaterAid Nigeria to validate and disseminate Bauchi state WASH situational assessment report
held in Bauchi with MDA representatives, CSOs, donors and the media in attendance.
According to the report, the N20million released to Bauchi state government by
UNICEF has grown to about 80million naira as the fund was lent to toilet business operators who subsequently distributed it to households for the construction of improved toilets.
The stakeholders who commended Bauchi state government for judicious management of the fund, called for the initiative to be replicated in other states of the federation to achieve open
defecation free society.
While presenting the report to stakeholders, the Head of Advocacy, Policy and Communication of WaterAid Nigeria, Mr Kolawole Banwo highlighted findings of the report to include access to basic sanitation in Bauchi State which stands at 60%, far above the national
average of 46% and regional average of 51%.
“Asides from this, the presence of handwashing facilities with soap in premises is about 19% above the regional and national average of 12% and 17% respectively” he added.
With respect to gaps contained in the report, Mr Banwo identified lack of permanent leadership in some of the agencies like the Bauchi State Small Towns Water and Sanitary Agency
(BASTOWA), Bauchi State Water Services and Regulatory Commission and the State Rural Water Supply Agency (RUWASA), as creating a gap and therefore called on government to appoint substantive head for these institutions to avert management crisis.
The one day stakeholders workshop advised Bauchi state government to revitalize the role of the high level sanitation champions for the state as the policy document does not address the key pillars of sanitation governance.
Earlier, the spokesman of the Ministry of Water Resources who also doubles as the Permanent Secretary,. Engnr Mustapha Ahmed Samaila commended WaterAid for undertaking the project and pledged Bauchi state government’s readiness to adopt key recommendations contained in the report to move the WASH sector forward.
