Katsina state government has urged communities to safeguard Water, Sanitation, and Hygiene (WASH) facilities in their domains to support attainment of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
Commissioner for Water Resources, Alhaji Bashir Gambo-Saulawa, made this appeal while opening a one-day workshop for Civil Society Organisations and other stakeholders on Tuesday in Katsina.
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The workshop, organised by the State Coordinating Unit of the Sustainable Urban and Rural Water Supply, Sanitation, and Hygiene (SURWASH) project, aimed to enhance the role of CSOs and stakeholders in supporting WASH efforts.
Supported by the World Bank, SURWASH is implemented through the state’s Water Board, RUWASSA, Small Towns Water Supply and Sanitation Agency, and State Environmental Protection Agency.
Gambo-Saulawa noted huge achievements in water supply, sanitation, and hygiene since the project began.
He stated that latrines have been constructed in public places to combat open defecation and promote sanitation.
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He urged participants to raise awareness about the project and called on communities to maintain and protect WASH facilities.
The State Project Coordinator, Mr Aminu Dayyabu said the initiative is being implemented in 10 local government areas.
He said the workshop aimed to strengthen the roles of implementation agencies and CSOs in delivering essential services and improving public perception and understanding of the programme.
Communication Officer Hajiya Hassana Aminu-Malumfashi revealed achievements, including validating Daura Local Government’s programme, training communication officers, and installing 120 hand-pump boreholes across several local governments.
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RUWASSA’s Director of Communication, Mr Abubakar Abdullahi, added that solar-powered boreholes were rehabilitated and upgraded in 15 schools and 10 health centers across six local governments.
He also announced plans to upgrade 1,125 household latrines in Baure and Kafur Local Governments.NAN
