By: Monday Danladi, Bauchi
Bauchi State has constituted and inaugurated a Technical Working Group (TWG) for the review of the State WASH Policy in line with the Harmonized Water Law which came into effect in 2023.
The inauguration of the Committee was done on Wednesday by the State Commissioner of Water Resources, Abdulrazak Nuhu Zaki during a One-day Workshop for the Dissemination of the Bauchi State Water Sector Law.
The Commissioner said that the law will serve as a regulatory entity that will ensure that people of the state irrespective of where they are got served with water and other WASH services.
Represented by the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry, Samaila Tela, the Commissioner charged the TWG to critically study the provisions of the law and see how to incorporate other areas left out.
According to him, “You are to carefully peruse the law as it is, find out the gaps and see how to fix the gaps to accommodate other WASH services that are not included in order to carry everyone along.”
In a remarks, WaterAid Nigeria commemded the State Government for creating an enabling environment for the implementation of issues and policies of WASH.
WaterAid Nigeria Country Director, Evelyn Mere said that the inauguration of the TWG will further enhance the need for more focus on WASH services in the state.
Represented by Head of Policy, Advocacy and Communication, Kolawole Banwo, the Country Director expressed satisfaction with the process put in place by the State Government in ensuring the effective implementation of the policy.
Evelyn Mere assured that WaterAid Nigeria will continue to be supportive of the efforts of the government in ensuring that the policy implementation of WASH protocols succeeded in the state.
Also speaking on behalf of the CSOs in the WASH sector, Programme Manager of Society for Water and Sanitation (NEWSAN), Nichole Kankani commended WaterAid Nigeria for supporting the state in all ramifications for a seamless development of WASH protocols.
Nichole Kankani assured that the CSOs and NGOs working in the WASH Sector will continue to be active and supportive in the implementation of the WASH policies for a healthy environment.
He added that the review of the WASH policy by the TWG will be a turn around in the attainment of a healthy environment throughout the state.
Also speaking, the Programme Manager of Women Development Association for Self Sustenance (WODASS), Magaji Barde commended the support of WaterAid Nigeria to the sustainability of WASH protocols in the state.
He described the development as a welcome achievement which will further boost WASH activities in the state assuring that WODASS will continue to partner relevant agencies in promoting WASH services in the state.
