Sani Bala Karo
To rid the state of the open defecation habit, Kano State Government, through the Rural Water Supply and Sanitation Agency (RUWASA), distributed more sanitation and campaign materials to six local governments, coming close to achieving ODF, namely Doguwa, Tudun Wada, Sumaila, Bebeji, Bunkure, and Tofa.
Speaking during the presentation, the Managing Director of the Agency, Engr. Shamwilu Abdulkadir Isa called on people of the state to continue to imbibe the culture of our decent ways and manners of defecation in line with teaching and practice of Islamic faith with regards to personal hygiene.
Engr. Shamwilu recalled that it is well known to everyone that latrines occupy an important place in the architectural designs of our traditional homes, adding that RUWASA was just out to reawaken our people to avert the outbreak of water-related diseases or those associated with the way of improper defecation.
Engr. Shamwilu further stated that achieving ODF needs a vigorous campaign that requires committed teamwork in which all players and stakeholders are capable of cascading the mission to the grassroots as Ambassadors, urging Supervisory Councilors and Heads of Department to give the National Task Group on Sanitation and UNICEF coming for a validation exercise their maximum cooperation and support.
The MD also charges them to ensure that all the materials given would reach schools through Local Government Education Authorities, noting that children are critical targets because of their vulnerability to diseases.
Speaking earlier at interractive session with the participants, the Director Planning, Measurements and Evaluation of the Agency, Hajiya Zahara’u Isyaku Mukhtar stated that the essence of the meeting was to reach out to the six local governments through the councilors and HODs to share the outcome of agency’s visit especially in areas of progress and challenges.
She urged them to double their efforts to meet up with ODF schedules as a national emergency program, which the Executive Governor of the state, Engr. Abba Kabir Yusuf is so keen and passionate about.
High points of the event include a paper presentation on WASH Protocol, Hygiene Promotion, and ODF Sustainability Plans.
Items distribution includes Information, Education, and Communication materials, improved latrine covers, Tippy Tapp sanitizer, and public enlightenment banners.
