Self Help Africa Unveils 5m Pounds WASH Prog In 2 States

Self Help Africa, an Irish charity organisation, has unveiled its five million pounds Water, Sanitation, and Hygiene (WASH) programme to enhance access to inclusive, reliable, and climate-resilient water and sanitation services in two states.

Africa’s Country Director, Dr Joy Aderele, made this known at the organisation’s 25th Anniversary in Abuja.

Dr. Adereye who said the states are Kano and Cross River stressed that the organisation is committed to promoting sustainable livelihoods and ensuring healthy lives for all amid a changing climate.

Aderele stated that the mission of the organisation is to alleviate hunger, poverty, social inequality, and the impacts of climate change through community-led, market-based, and enterprise-focused approaches.

According to her, the newly-launched five-year programme aims to promote sustainable food systems by conserving agriculture and diversifying production through climate-smart agriculture.

The country director highlighted the organisation’s expertise in WASH and Waste Management, by providing sustainable, safe water supply in Benue and Cross River states.

She said through its Community-Led Total Sanitation approach, they have implemented sanitation and hygiene improvement projects in both states, reaching over 1.2 million individuals and promoting open defecation-free environment.

On livelihood interventions, Aderele mentioned that small business owners have been empowered by providing access to livelihood assets and addressing negative social norms that limit women’s participation in decision-making processes.

Earlier, Minister of State for Water Resources and Sanitation, Dr. Bello Goronyo, noted that significant progress had been made in the country’s water, sanitation, and hygiene (WASH) sector over the past decade.

He emphasised the collaborative efforts of his ministry, alongside dedicated organisations and community leaders, in achieving Open Defecation Free (ODF) targets and enhancing sanitation standards.

Dr. Goronyo emphasized that the FCDO-supported programme was a crucial catalyst for further advancement in the WASH sector, noting the importance of strengthening WASH systems, engaging communities, and empowering local stakeholders to drive sustainable change.

He pledged the ministry’s commitment to building upon past successes, outlining future priorities, including expanding equitable WASH services with a focus on underserved communities.

The Minister emphasised the utilisation of innovative technologies, reinforcing partnerships across sectors, and promoting accountability and transparency to ensure universal access to safe and sustainable WASH infrastructure.

The minister however affirmed the collective effort required from international partners and the Nigerian people to continue the country’s WASH success story, which would pave the way for a healthier and more prosperous future for all.

On his part the Head of Health at the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO), Mr Dave McConalogue, highlighted the threats of climate change to ecosystems, emphasising the impact on water and fossil fuels due to rising temperatures and extreme weather events.

In his presentation, the Country Director of WASH systems for Health programme, Mr. John Wali called for the support of Stakeholders towards realizing the objectives of the programme.

There were goodwill messages from the National Assembly, UNICEF, USAID, World Bank, Water Aid, State Governments, the Foreign Commonwealth Development office among others.

Georgina Humphrey, Edited By Grace Namiji