Sani Bala Karo
In it’s efforts to stem the spate open defecation in Kano state, the state government has submitted six more LGAs for validation as open defecation free areas. These were Bebeji, Bunkure, Doguwa,Sumaila, Tofa and Tudun Wada LGAs.
The validation exercise carried out by the National Task Group on Sanitation (NTGS) in conjunction with the state counterpart (STGS) conducted a week-long visitation to the local communities to assess and ascertain the progress and achievements recorded in water, sanitation and hygiene.
Speaking at a briefing with Kano State Rural Water Supply and Sanitation Agency, after the validation exercise, Head of the Inspection Team, Mrs Oluwatosin Kolade thanked the state government for all the necessary support given to them during the exercise.
She said the team was in the state to ascertain the open defecation status of the six LGA presented for consideration in line with the requirements of Federal Ministry of Water Resources.
The team, she said has noted some developments in the communities which include functional WASH Committes (WASHCOM) with gender inclusion of women and available financial records.
The team also noted that a significant number of households use improved toilet facilities. On the other hand team also noted among others that water sources in many communities were of poor quality with several depends on open wells for drinking water, better sanitation practice needs to be imbibed among households and more sanitation facilities need to provided in public institutions like schools and hospitals.
The team however recommends a number of measures to improve and achieve good results, which include development and implementation of water safety plans, checking and repairs of collapsed water supply system, adequate budgetary support for LGA WASH, promulgate and strengthen sanitation bye-laws to sanction defaulters and work out a sustainable plans between state and local governments to ensure a long term impacts.
In his remarks, Managing Director of Kano state Rural Water Supply and Sanitation Agency (RUWASA), Engr. Shamwilu Abdulkadir Isa congratulate the team for concluding the exercise with out any hitch or issue and expressed pleasure for sharing knowledge and experience.
Responding to some of the observations raised earlier, Engr. Shamwilu reiterated in strong terms that Kano state government has remain committed to the provision of adequate water boreholes and toilets as more approvals were coming continuously.
On the ODF and Sanitation Bye-laws, he said the draft is already with Kano State House of Assembly for passage into law, and will be unveiled to the public thereafter.
On Village Level Operation and Maintenance (VLOM) programme, he expressed in affirmative that “our is strong enough and vibrant and well monitored.”
He further maintained that Kano state will soon establish an Ultra-modern Water Laboratory to check water content.
He finally assures the team that more changes in physical features and behaviour will be witnessed in the subsequent exercise.
It can be recalled the State in June this year was able to achieve open defecation free in 20 LGAs.
