By Sani Bala Karo, Kano
As the 2030 universal deadline for ending open defecation steadily approaches, Kano State Government has set up machinery to deliver on the remaining eight Local Government Areas (LGAs) awaiting validation to achieve state-wide open defecation-free (ODF) status.
This was made known by Managing Director (MD), Kano State Rural Water Supply and Sanitation Agency, Engr. Shamwilu Abdulƙadir Isa, at a meeting of stakeholders and partners in water, sanitation and hygiene (WASH) in the state.
He said the move was in fulfilment of the National Protocols on ending open defecation across states of the federation under Executive Order 009 of 2019.
Engr. Isa stressed that Kano State has so far recorded success in 36 LGAs, attributing the bulk of the success to the administration of Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf.
The remaining eight LGAs, mostly in Kano metropolitan area, are Dala, Fagge, Gwale, Garun Malam, Nassarawa, Makoɗa, Municipal and Tarauni which the MD described as more complex due to boundary factor and dense population.
In view of this, he noted, closer collaboration among stakeholders is needed to achieve the ultimate goal.
Engr. Isa stressed that most contemporary diseases were water-related, due to issues in sourcing, transportation and storage, and therefore called on communities to imbibe the culture of good sanitation at their own levels.
Sanitation, he exy, is not expensive for anyone to adhere to, pointing out that “that is why we use, for example, variety of soap in cleaning traditionally and modern ways.”
He charged the stakeholders to get prepared for community engagements across the affected LGAs next week.
In a goodwill message, UNICEF Consultant Mr. Sam Atta, expressed delight at the high attendance of stakeholders in the meeting and congratulated the State Government for going thus far,ndespite having the highest number of LGAs in the country.
Calling for a final sprint to breast the tape, he said: “If we push together, we can achieve it.”
Mr. Atta,who represented the State Office Chief, also announced UNICEF’s intention to support Dala, Gwale, Garun Malam and Municipal LGAs’ projects to enable the state meet the target.
Stakeholders present at the meeting included officials from State Ministries of Rural and Community Development, Ministry of Local Government, Water Resources and Environment, Education, Refuse Management Board as well as market traders union, NURTW, Hisbah and KAROTA Boards.
*PHOTO CAPTION: Engr. Isa (with mic) addressing the meeting.
