Stakeholders, Unveil 2023 Plans For WASH In Enugu

Posted by Ignatius Okpara Enugu, Latest Headlines Friday, March 17th, 2023

…Lauds WaterAid, SSDO.

(AFRICAN EXAMINER) – No fewer than sixteen Civil Society groups, Non governmental organization NGOs, and agencies of the Enugu State government operating as key Stakeholders in the Water Sanitation and Hygiene (WASH) sector of the state have unveiled their 2023 plans for the all important sector of human life.

The organizations made their separate presentations on Thursday in Enugu during a one day (WASH) Sector Coordination Stakeholders engagement put together by Wateraid Nigeria, in partnership with it’s implementing partner, South Saharan Social Development Organization SSDO.

Our Correspondent reports that the Stakeholders had during the meeting, highlighted their respective WASH programmes for 2023, including formation of WASH clubs in schools aimed at promoting good hygiene habits amongst students and pupils.

Speaking at the event, the State Wateraid programme lead, Mr. Solomon Akpanufot, who highlighted some of the interventions of the Organization in the state, hinted that they have implemented the Sustainable Total Sanitation project and Hygiene Behaviour Change Campaign across many Local Government Areas in Enugu State.

“These interventions focused on supporting government, private sector, civil society organizations and community structures to champion processes that will improve access to the Water, Sanitation and Hygiene (WASH) situation in Enugu State.

“With funding from Coca-Cola, Heineken Africa Foundation, FCDO, and Latter-Day Saints Charity, WaterAid has supported the provision of Water Facilities, Sanitation, and Hygiene promotion in selected communities within the state to the tune of N207,545,328.50.

“This is aimed at helping the State government in ensuring that Ndi Enugu has access to clean water, decent toilets, and good hygiene.

According to him, “the State and LGA Partners have provided the following capacity-building activities.Training of over 40 Toilet Business Owners In Igboetiti and 30 in Igboeze South.Training of partners on WASHCOM formation and establishment Case Study gathering.

“Rethinking Rural Sanitation Approach.Hygiene Behaviour Change Campaign approach Operation and Maintenance training of Water Facilities using the Kiosk Model Approach. PMER processes and financial reporting.CURRENT PROJECTS ONGOINGWaterAid is

Akpanufot, added that others are, “Domestication of the Monitoring and Evaluation Framework in Enugu State.Passage of the Enugu State Water Sector Law. Electoral Campaign Press Conference built on the Vote 4WASH and Keep-Your-Promises campaigns launched in the state to get the commitment of gubernatorial aspirants to prioritize access to efficient and equitable WASH services in the state.

Also Wateraid, has intervened in the establishment of 30 Environmental Health Clubs in Primary Schools in Igboeze North LGA.Training of TBOs has led to the installation of over 100 Water-Easy Toilet.

“WaterAid Nigeria appreciates the Enugu State government for its partnership, dedication, and remarkable strides in improving access to WASH services. Every little project that starts inches us closer to our goal and together, we can make change happen by delivering on the promise of clean water and sanitation for all, one community at a time.

He however, advocated the holdibg of the meeting on a quarterly basis.

In her remark, the manager incharge of of WASH in South Saharan Social Development Organization, Uju Prisca Ezeike, hinted that the establishment has carried out several interventions in the state such as training of 180 teachers, students, and SBMCs from 30 schools on Hygiene Behavioral Change (HBC) in Igbo Eze North Local government area to promote sanitation and improve the HBC campaign in schools.

“Establishment of 30 Environmental Health Clubs in 30 Schools in Igbo Eze North LGA to help promote sanitation and improve on HBC campaign in schools.

“Training of facilitators from the state on HBC community intervention package to help promote WASH behavior at the community level.

“Conduct HBC community interventions 1, 2, and 3 in Igbo Eze North LGA. Community event 4 will take place from 19th -25th March.Installed 5 HWFs in Enugu South, Enugu North, and Enugu East LGAs and monitored 40 rehabilitated HWFs across Enugu State.

“Training of 10 teachers on Operations, Maintenance, and Hygiene promotion. Airing of HBC and uptake of Covid vaccine messaging through the media.

“Sanitation Policy Rev

Igbo Eze North LGA to elucidate action points relevant to curb this menace and to garner stakeholders’ commitment to enacting and domesticating a bylaw against open Defecation (OD).

“A press conference was organized in collaboration with the Society for Water and Sanitation (NEWSAN) Enugu state chapter. The group, through the conference, called on the various gubernatorial aspirants to highlight the strategic plans for WASH in Enugu state if elected.

“Worked in partnership with the Enugu State Primary Health Care Development Agency (ENS-PHCDA) to train HCWs on Infection, Prevention, and Control (IPC).

“This gives them a broader and more practical knowledge of the importance of WASH in their routine practice and procedures during immunization, Antenatal, and Postnatal activities.80 PHCs from the 17 LGAs assessed on the knowledge gained from the WASH/IPC training.

All the participants applauded Wateraid and it’s SSSDO implementing partner for the great job they are doing in the WASH sector in the state, urging them to keep the flag flying.