WORLD WATER DAY: ZAMFARA RECORDS TREMENDOUS ACHIEVEMENTS IN WATER SECTOR THROUGH PARTNERSHIP

WORLD WATER DAY: ZAMFARA RECORDS TREMENDOUS ACHIEVEMENTS IN WATER SECTOR THROUGH PARTNERSHIP

WITH UNICEF, OTHERS The Zamfara Commissioner of Water Resources, Alhaji Ibrahim Isa Mayana, has on Tuesday listed achievements recorded by the state in potable water supply to both rural and urban communities of the state.

Mayana disclosed this in Gusau on Tuesday, while addressing stakeholders, including officials of the state ministries of Water Resources, Rural and Community Development and members of the Zamfara WASH Reports Forum, a Civil Society Organisation.

The event is to commemorate the 2022 World Water Day (WWD) with a theme: Groundwater, Making the Invisible Visible.

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He said that the achievements were recorded through partnership with United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) WASH project, Federal Government and other donor agencies.

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“This is part of the commitment of present administration in the state to achieve Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) (6) “Water Sanitation for all by 2030 and ending cholera, a Global road map 2030, “he said.

Isa Mayana noted that four MDAs responsible for supplying potable drinking water in the state were Ministry of Water Resources, State Water Board, Directorate for Rural Water Supply and State Agency Rural Water and Sanitation (RUWATSAN).

“From 2021 to date we have recorded remarkable achievements through the above named MDAs.
“According to him, the UNICEF supported the state with rehabilitation and construction of 20 new hand pump and 4 solar motorised boreholes in cholera affected communities across the state.

“Rehabilitation of 20 hand pumps and solar motorised boreholes in cholera affected communities, construction of 20 latrines in IDPs camps in Anka and Gusau LGAs and training of Local Government Area Mechanics (LAM) to sustain functionality of water supply”, he explained.

According to him, the Directorate of Rural Water Supply, achieved the following:
“Digitalisation and upgrading of water quality laboratory to enhance water parameter testing”.
“Construction of 980 new hand pump across the state, rehabilitation and construction of 9 earth dams across the state, in collaboration with China Republic and Federal Government.

“Training of administrative staff through ITF, maintenance of water source for prevention of infectious disease.
“Chlorination of 10 out of the 14 LGAs under emergency cholera response and capacity building supported by Federal Ministry of Water Resources”, he added.

The Commissioner said that the ministry will continue to work with all stakeholders in water cluster, both institutional and private sector, in creating awareness of the importance of groundwater sanitation and hygiene promotion in urban and rural communities.

Also speaking, the UNICEF Consultant in the state, Mr Toyin Adisa, commended the state government and ministry for collaborating with stakeholders to promote water sector of the state and for more efforts in the sector.
He also commended members of the media for rendering voluntary service to create awareness to the general public on proper water supply, Sanitation and Hygiene in the state.

Adisa called on all stakeholders to embark on campaigns to the communities to stop abuse of their sources of water as well as maintenance.
Earlier, the RUWATSAN Programme Manager, Alhaji Sani Gurbinbore, said the state had recorded tremendous successes through partnership with UNICEF, in the fight against open defecation.

“Various communities have been declared open defecation-free through the commitments of the state government in partnership with UNICEF.

“We will continue to partner with all stakeholders to educate our communities on how to promote WASH related issues and challenges”, Gurbinbore explained.

Earlier, the Chairman Zamfara WASH Reports’ Forum, Ishaq Tambuwal, said the visit was part of the mandate of the forum to collaborate with all stakeholders in promoting water supply, sanitation and hygiene in the state.

“One of the major mandates of the forum is to advocate to relevant authorities on WASH practices and challenges.
“Even though, the forum is a voluntary initiative, we have the mandate to educate members of the public through sensitisation and awareness creation on the importance of WASH-related issues, “he said.