Water Resources Ministry Launches Accelerating Inclusive Sanitation And Hygiene Economy

Ministry of Water Resources and Sanitation and Development Partners have launched the “Accelerating Inclusive Sanitation and Hygiene Economy.

This is contained in a statement signed by the Director Information and Public Relations in the Ministry, Mrs. Funmi Imuetinyan, in Abuja.

According to the statement, the initiative, spearheaded by WaterAid Nigeria with a $2.5 million grant from the Sanitation and Hygiene Fund (SHF), is set to transform access to sanitation and hygiene in four local government areas (LGAs) in Bauchi State over the next 30 months.

According to the statement, the Minister of Water Resources and Sanitation, Prof. Joseph Terlumun Utsev, describes the project as a landmark intervention in tackling Nigeria’s sanitation and hygiene challenges.

It states that the initiative aims to empower underserved communities, reduce the prevalence of waterborne diseases, and strengthen women and youths engagement in WASH-related businesses.

“Today’s event marks a significant milestone in our collective efforts to improve public health, enhance the quality of life and ensure the dignity of millions of Nigerians through better access to sanitation and hygiene services” he stresses.

“Access to adequate sanitation and hygiene is not just a basic human right, but a cornerstone for building resilient communities and achieving sustainable progress in the livelihood of people” the Minister adds.

The statement also reveals that the project will focus on providing safe water and sanitation infrastructure in vulnerable communities, including cholera hotspots, supporting economic empowerment of women and youths in WASH-related enterprises, promoting innovative and inclusive hygiene practices, especially for marginalized groups as well as reeducing the recurrence of cholera outbreaks in targeted communities.

According to the statement, the representative of the Governor of Bauchi State and Commissioner for Health, Sani Muhammed Dambam, expresses gratitude to WaterAid and the Sanitation and Hygiene Fund for bringing this transformative project to the state.

“This project built on an innovative concept will significantly enhance the economic well-being of the people of Bauchi and support the sustainability of ongoing water, sanitation, and hygiene (WASH) efforts in the state” he emphasizes.

Also the Country Director of WaterAid, Evelyn Mere emphasizes that the initiative aims to bridge significant gaps in water, sanitation, and hygiene (WASH) access, particularly in Bauchi State.

“The project will benefit 900,000 individuals in Bauchi, Tafawa Balewa, Misau, and Jama’are LGAs and will be implemented in collaboration with federal ministries, Bauchi State agencies, and technical partners.

PR/Georgina Humphrey