-Urge media to prioritize WASH issues
Sola POPOOLA
Experts have urged stakeholders to embrace new action on sanitation and hygiene.
Speaking at a media dialogue themed: “Accelerating Actions to Improve Urban Water, Sanitation and Hygiene (WASH) in Nigeria,” the sanitation experts also charged stakeholders to ensure that all planning on sanitation and hygiene accommodate informal settlements and low-income areas in the services
The programme was organized by Oyo State Ministry of Information,in collaboration with support from United Nations Children’s Fund(UNICEF).
In his presentation,the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) WASH Specialist, Monday Johnson, expressed concern that the projected population surge by 2050 In Nigeria could further cripple access to clean water and basic sanitation unless governments at all levels take urgent, coordinated action.
He therefore charged state governments to update and approve their WASH policies,by creating enabling environments for private sector participation, and develop full-chain sanitation models.
According to him ,the policy must cover containment, emptying, transport, treatment, and reuse, to ensure sustainable access to safe water and sanitation for all Nigerians.
He said “with over 213 million Nigerians lacking access to complete basic water, sanitation, and hygiene, (WASH) services, experts have decried the alarming and worsening WASH due to unplanned urban expansion, weak infrastructure, and poor government investment’.
“The overall status of the WASH Sector in Nigeria is low. Only 10 percent of the population have access to complete basic water, sanitation, and hygiene services, using the global JMP definitions.
“Those living in rural areas are three times more disadvantaged than those in urban areas Those living in rural areas are three times more disadvantaged than those in urban areas.”
Johnson also called for a policy directive mandating public facilities such as filling stations, markets, and motor parks to provide clean water and sanitation services to discourage open defecation.
He recommended the establishment of a dedicated Urban Sanitation Coordination Unit under relevant ministries to institutionalise budgeting and implementation, mainstream urban sanitation into state development plans, and train sanitation officers and private operators for improved service Delivery.
The Director of Community Mobilisation and Hygiene Education, the Oyo State Rural Water Supply and Sanitation Agency (OYORUWASSA), Adegoke Ayodele, highlighted progress made in the state through sustained efforts on WASH programmes, describing them as “success stories that must be built upon.”
Adeola Adewole, Programme Officer at the Oyo State Ministry of Information, urged journalists and media practitioners to use their platforms to advocate improved sanitation practices and policies across Nigeria.
“The media has a powerful role to play in driving behavioural change. We must continue to speak about WASH issues until they become a priority in every community,” Adewole added.