*Gov, RUWASA, Development Partners Rejoice
By Sani Bala Karo, Kano
Joy broke out in Kano today as the efforts of the State government to make the State open defecation-free (ODF) were rewarded by the Federal Government (FG) which has certificated 20 Local Government Areas (LGAs) in the State with the coveted, enhanced status.
Six other LGAs are close to attaining the status soon.
The FG’s action followed the recommendations of Clean Nigeria Campaign, a body saddled with the responsibility of monitoring the implementation of the Presidential Executive Order on ending open defecation across the country.
The State government accomplished the feat through its agency, Rural Water Supply and Sanitation Agency (RUWASA).
The certified LGAs are Gezawa, Kiru, Rano,Dawakin Kudu, Albasu, Shanono, and Bagwai.
Others are Dawakin Tofa, Rimin Gado, Minjibir, Kumbotso, Madobi, Karaye, and Takai.
The rest are Ungoggo, Gaya, Ajingi, Gabasawa, Kura, and Gari.
Presenting the ODF certificates to the State and LGAs, Minister of Water Resources and Sanitation, Professor Joseph Utsev commended the state government for its expeditious actions in tackling sanitation and hygiene matters.
The Minister, represented by the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry, Mr. Richard Pheelangwah, acknowledged the invaluable support of the State alongside the development partners in the sector such as UNICEF, WaterAid, NEWSAN and others in the efforts to bring sanitation behavioural change among the people.
He called for more collaboration and accelerated action to bring the remaining LGAs to the fold to achieve total ODF.
Professor Utsev noted that Kano State is at advantage to use her high population to utilize the opportunities that abound in the sanitation economy by bringing in the private sector.
He tasked the state to, as a way forward, issue an Executive Order on the matter, involve traditional rulers, employ more sanitation facilitators and bring up sustainability plans to maintain its ODF status.
In his speech, the state Governor, Engr. Abba Kabir Yusuf expressed his great joy and pride at the state attaining the new level by slashing the number of persons defecating outside the home to the barest minimum.
He disclosed that this was achieved through mass intervention, support for selfhelp groups, engaging traditional rulers and strengthening of bye-laws.
Governor Yusuf, who was represented by the Deputy Governor, Comrade Aminu Abdussalam, noted that water-borne diseases constitute a great threat to public health in the state.
He, however, assured that “we intend to reach every household by posting sanitary inspectors and scale up investment in the sector to maintain our status.”
He commended the Federal Ministry of Water Resources and Sanitation, UNICEF and other development partners for their immense contribution to the sector.
In his remarks, UNICEF Representative, Muhammad Farrah, acknowledge the state’s achievements so far in the fight against open defecation and tasked the government to consolidate on the gains through adequate funding of the WASH sector.
Aside funding, he requested the government to address polio, malnutrition and poverty as well as make the environment child-friendly, adding that eradication of all these are achievable.
He commended neighbouring Jigawa and Katsina States for their remarkable success in eradicating open defecation.
Speaking earlier, the Managing Director (MD), Kano State RUWASA, Engr. Shamwilu Abdulkadir Isa stated that since he came to office, RUWASA had provided over 50 water schemes in form of hand pumps (motorized and upgraded).
He thanked Gov. Yusuf for giving the agency necessary support that enabled it achieve ODF-free status, assuring the Governor that the agency will deliver the remaining LGAs “very soon” with the support of development partners.
Highpoints of the event included award of Great Achiever of the Year to Gov. Yusuf and the certified LGAs.
