Insecurity, delaying state-wide open defecation-free status – Official

Thu, Sep 15, 2022
By editor
2 MIN READ

Environment

ALHAJI Aminu Dayyabu, the Executive Director of the Katsina State Rural Water Supply and Sanitation Agency (RUWASSA) has said continued insecurity in seven frontline local government areas was delaying the achievement of a state-wide open defecation-free status.

Dayyabu  told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) that the frontline local governments are; Batsari, Danmusa, Faskari, Funtua, Kankara and Jibia.

He said that 26 out of 34 LGAs have been verified and Certified Open Defecation-Free (ODF).

According to him, the state achieved such feat following the highest political will from all stakeholders and interventions from development partners.

“The state government and the local government have been able to deliver four local governments as ODF, through the Water, Sanitation and Hygiene (WASH) interventions in Katsina state.

“So you see, we are moving, if not because of the security challenges that we are facing, especially in the frontline LGAs, I tell you, we would have delivered Katsina state ODF by the end of this year.

“We are watching, we are putting our fingers crossed, as soon as the situation improved, we will be able to go and verify.

“And even in these seven frontline LGAs, it does not mean that something is not happening. We have the institution there, they are working day and night.’’

Dayyabu said the state was not in competition with Jigawa to attain state-wide ODF status, but to see how to improve access to potable water and sanitation for its populace.

He said provision of these facilities in an enabling environment, would stop open defecation practice, and would translate to increase in the health status, having a multiplier effect.

“ I tell you that we are working underground and it has really shown, because this year, the level of cholera outbreak that we use to have has reduced significantly.

“This is due to the effect of work that RUWASSA and the water and sanitation department are doing in Katsina State.’’

He noted that implementation of the Village Level Operation and Maintenance (VLOM) strategy had seen the involvement of the communities in maintenance of their water facilities.

He said communities that have taken ownership had avoided mishandling and abandonment that may have occurred. (NAN)

KN

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