The United Nations Children Fund, UNICEF, has commended Anambra State Government for its support and commitment towards UNICEF Water, Sanitation and Hygiene, WASH, programs in the State.
The Zonal WASH Consultant , UNICEF Enugu, Mr Toyin Adisa who represented the WASH Specialist Mr Ferdinand Njue made the commendation during a Two Day Workshop on Institutional Triggering and Sensitization meeting for stakeholders at the Aguata Local Government
Area, aimed at attainment of Local Government Area, Wide ODF Status, was held at Aguata Headquarters, Ekwulobia.
The Workshop which was organized by EU /UNICEF in Collaboration with Anambra State Water Supply and Sanitation Agency, RUWASA, attracted Traditional Rulers, Clergy, Teachers, representatives of various WASH Communities in Aguata and State UNICEF Staff amongst others.
Delivering a keynote address, Mr Adisa explained that the major role of UNICEF in the Implementation of WASH programmes in the State is to ensure that investment made is sustained and the agency does this through the building of the capacity of WASH Institutions.
Also speaking the Transition Committee Chairman of Aguata, Honourable Eche Ezeibe, represented by the Head of Local Government Administration Officer, Sir Jaja Nwankwo, said that poor access to safe drinking water and inadequate sanitation were the causes of regular outbreaks of Cholera and Diarrhea, urging the people of Aguata to strive towards achieving total Open Defecation Free in their various communities noting that good health is wealth.
Contributing, the Permanent Secretary Public Utilities, Mr Douglas Mbah, maintained that portable water supply and ODF in Aguata should be restored and transformed through the joint efforts of the communities, and charged them to always maintain their borehole and other water facilities to increase their life span.
On his part, the Program Manager RUWASSA, Mr Victor Ezekwo, said the essence of the program was to get the support of all the communities in Aguata Council Area, identify their successes and failures in OD, advising the people of the area to strive to achieve ODF status in their local government for a healthier environment for themselves and state at large.
Delivering their various lectures Pastor Joseph Ekpata and Mrs Chioma Mong, who spoke on key issues in Sanitation and hygiene promotion, said that sanitation responsibility is for all and noted that safe water supply chain, construction and using of household latrines will help sustain a good hygiene and water sanitation condition.
The WASH Coordinator, Aguata, Local Government Area, Mr Akwobi Peter who stated that out of two hundred and twenty-four WASH Communities, one hundred and ninety-nine have attained ODF while twenty-five communities is still struggling to be declared ODF in Aguata and urged all hands to be on deck towards achieving that.
Some Participants including Engineer Amaechi Akaneme who is the president General of Umuona Community in Aguata and Mrs Okonkwo Ebere, Women Leader, Pentecostal Fellowship of Nigeria, attested to impacts of UNICEF WASH in their communities and pledged to contribute towards ODF
totally in Aguata.
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