The Rural Water Supply and Sanitation Agency, RUWASSA, has inaugurated a Federation of Water Sanitation and Hygiene Committee, WASHCOM, in Aguata.

Chinweoke Okpaladinobi, the community mobilisation officer, RUWASSA Anambra State, said the Federation of WASHCOM was umbrella body to give greater voice to Aguata WASH communities.

“It’s establishment is done by RUWASSA Anambra in partnership with the EU and the United Nations International Children’s Emergency Fund, UNICEF.

“We have 224 WASH communities in Aguata, which is made up of 20 WASH wards. All chairmen and secretaries of the 20 wards form the WASHCOM.’’

In a speech, Chioma Eze, the assistant community mobilisation officer, said the WASHCOM Federation should embark on total environmental sanitation in Aguata.

She added that they should assist communities that were yet to be open defecation free in the local government area to strive to attain the status.

“There is the need to sensitise the communities on total environmental Sanitation; no open Defecation as all latrines must have covers.

“The essence of forming the WASHCOM Federation is to assist the WASH communities still lagging behind to attain the expected height.

“Communities that have water supply can extend to neighboring communities that do not have water supply.

“The WASHCOM Federation should draw action plans, which should educate communities on proper sanitation like regular hand washing, proper disposing of disposable items like sachets, diapers, ‘take away’ etc.’’

Eze urged the committee to sustain WASH projects and other hygiene practices in the LG, as their key sponsor, UNICEF might pull out.

Emeka Udezeh, the water supply officer, WSO, congratulated Aguata LG for being one of the four LGs in the state with UNICEF intervention.

He added that the other three are Anambra East, Idemili South and Nnewi North LGAs.

Udezeh admonished communities that abandon their damaged borehole expecting the government to repair them, saying communities should take ownership of facilities in their communities.

“Communities should take full responsibility for the operation and maintenance of the water supply system.

“Pay full price for operation and management of your systems and a part of the capital investment.

“The water should not be free, collect user charges so that when the facility breaks down, you will be able to fix it from the money realised.”

He urged the newly elected executive to take full responsibility of WASH projects and facilities in Aguata, saying, “please protect facilities in your communities.’’

The agency conducted elections into five elective positions to constitute executive for the WASHCOM Federation by option A4.

Ifeanyi Nweke, the newly elected chairman of the WASHCOM FEDERATION, said he developed template to tackle sanitation and hygiene issues in his Achina WASH community.

Nweke who gave insight on how he intends to deliver within a fortnight, said, “we have about 36 online platforms for enlightenments on WASH programmes and activities.’’

Others who emerged winners in the election are Chukwuemeka Ogbuagu (General Secretary), Onyeka Okeke (Financial Secretary), Stella Uba (Treasurer) and Godswill Ezeagha (PRO).

– Apr. 8, 2019 @ 01:11 GMT |