MaiRuwa

2012

Small town water schemes commissioned in and Jigawa states

Major Campaigns: World Water Day Global Handwashing day World Toilet Day

Mai Ruwa Newsletter of WaterAid 1 CR’s Note

It feels good to be writing this introduction to Mai Ruwa which is making a comeback after some time away. I am pleased to have joined WaterAid Nigeria (or WANG as we call ourselves) at this critical time. With support from an excellent team of committed and expert staff and inspired by the vision of a world where everyone has access to safe water and sanitation, WANG has together with the cooperation of various stakeholders contributed to improving

WaterAid Nigeria/Jenchat Bishen Nigeria/Jenchat WaterAid access to water, sanitation and hygiene for the poorest in our country. However, Nigeria still faces a crisis. Current estimates show that 42 per cent of the population still lack access to safe water and 68 per cent lack access to improved sanitation. We must therefore accelerate our work and encourage others to do the same to ensure we end WASH poverty. Over the past few years, we have been working with the European Commission on two programmes across four states to increase access to safe water and improved sanitation and raise the capacity of local communities and partners to demand their rights to these services. In 2012, WANG launched partnerships with two new donors. The first, funded by HSBC for five years will bring safe water and improved sanitation to over a million people in three states, tackle water risks in river basins and raise awareness about the global water crisis. The other programme – Sustainable Total Sanitation in Nigeria (STS-Nig) – funded by the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation (BMGF) for four years, will help improve our approach to sanitation across Local Government Authorities in another three states reaching over 600,000 people with access to sustainable, improved sanitation. Our current Country Strategy places emphasis on advocacy and influencing. We will market our approaches and models so that they can be replicated and scaled up across the country and help achieve Open Defecation Free (ODF) status and increased access to safe water. With these and the support we will provide to the local, national, regional and global Keep Your Promises campaign, which calls on governments to keep their promises on water and sanitation, and with continued support from our partners, we are looking forward to achieving more over the next few years. Mai Ruwa – our newsletter will continue to be a platform for us to share our journey towards ending the WASH crisis as we remain committed to the provision of water, sanitation and hygiene to the people of Nigeria. Enjoy the contributions and please join us to build a strong foundation for lasting change in our country.

Dr Michael Ojo

Our vision is of a world where everyone has access to safe water and sanitation.

Editorial Team: Dr Michael Ojo, Tolani Busari, Oluseyi Abdulmalik Cover Photo: WaterAid Nigeria/Taye Balogun

2 Mai Ruwa Newsletter of WaterAid Nigeria Photo: WaterAid Nigeria/Taye Balogun Balogun Nigeria/Taye WaterAid Photo:

Inside

4 News 23 Influencing for Change Annual partner round table Meetings with ECOWAS stresses demand-driven service Commission highlight WASH delivery, sanitation promotion issues in West Africa

WaterAid Nigeria study charts course for decentralisation to LGAs 24 Outreach Briefs African Development Bank to col- laborate with WANG in 11 New Projects capacity building HSBC Water Programme supports .5 million people in Nigeria WANG engages with Nigeria’s Senate 13 Campaigns World Water Day 26 Special Report Global Handwashing Day Small town water schemes delivered in Enugu and Jigawa World Toilet Day states

Mai Ruwa Newsletter of WaterAid Nigeria 3 News Annual partner round table stresses demand-driven service delivery and sanitation promotion by Omolade Olalekan

activities, particularly financial reporting and the need to strengthen the partnership between civil society organisa- tions (CSOs) and local govern- ment authorities(LGAs) for better service delivery. Partners also agreed on:

• The need to build a system Photo: WaterAid Nigeria/Wale Elekolosi Nigeria/Wale WaterAid Photo: of cost-sharing by communities and LGAs to ensure the sustainability of WASH projects. • The need for partners to influence government, particularly at the LGA Partners at the 2012 APRT level, to increase political aterAid Nigeria and will for effective sector Wits partners will work The roundtable was the first financing and the release of to ensure that all water and time the new Country Repre- counterpart funds. sanitation (WASH) interventions sentative of WaterAid Nigeria, • The need for a reinvigorated in communities in 2012/2013 Dr Michael Ojo, was meeting the monitoring and evaluation are demand-driven, and that partners together. Dr Ojo ex- of projects with a new tool sanitation promotion receives pressed delight at the oppor- developed for the purpose. greater attention. These tunity to meet with partners and commitments were made highlighted some of the chal- Technical sessions and presen- at the 2012 annual partner lenges and successes of the pe- tations from the implementing roundtable held in on riod. partners sought to, amongst 23 - 24 May 2012. other things, find ways of im- He also spoke of the current proving service delivery and en- The meeting, whose main strategy and the approach that suring sustainability. objective was to assess the will be used in the coming year performance of the partnership to cushion the challenges for an The forum ended with partners in the period 2011-2012 effective partnership and ser- committing to strengthening ex- and give feedback for a more vice delivery in the WASH sec- isting relationships for effective effective partnership in the year tor. service delivery in 2012/2013 2012/2013, was attended by by improving and building ca- implementing partners from Partners at the meeting high- pacity on new approaches and WaterAid’s six focal states in lighted the importance of tools. Nigeria. reporting and documentation of

4 Mai Ruwa Newsletter of WaterAid Nigeria WaterAid advocates integration of WASH into HIV/ AIDS programming in Nigeria by Omolade Olalekan operational plans, standard operating procedures (SOPs), and implementation guides and vice versa. 4. Utilise the same community- based organisations to implement WASH and HIV programmes wherever possible. 5. Include HIV/AIDS data—HIV prevalence, population of people living with HIV/ AIDS (PLHA), population Photo: WaterAid/Anna Kari WaterAid/Anna Photo: of orphans and vulnerable children (OVC) etc—as part of the criteria for choosing WASH intervention communities. 6. Introduce relevant WASH indicators into the HIV/AIDS

A person living with HIV taking her medication. Clean water, improved sanitation and hygiene are particu- programme and vice versa. larly important for people living with HIV/AIDS because their compromised immune system makes them 7. Integrate WASH into HIV pre- more susceptible to opportunistic infections. and post-test counselling and into counselling provided in s part of European Bauchi and Plateau. HIV clinics. ACommission funded projects, 8. Introduce WASH into home- WaterAid Nigeria (WANG) has The WANG advocacy will, based care (HBC) with team begun a process of advocating amongst other things, seek to: members conducting WASH the integration of water, assessments during home sanitation and hygiene (WASH) 1. Integrate comprehensive visits. and HIV/AIDS programming in WASH with relevant sections 9. Make hygiene promoters and the country. This is in recognition of the HIV/AIDS policy and WASH committees undertake of the linkages between WASH vice versa. to help sick PLHA access safe and HIV/AIDS, aimed at 2. Establish formal collaboration drinking water and perform assessing the linkages between mechanisms between sanitation and hygiene tasks. WASH and HIV programming, and WASH and HIV actors at the WASH needs of people living all levels; integrate WASH WASH interventions seek to with HIV/AIDS. actors into relevant HIV improve access to safe drinking technical working groups, water, sanitary disposal of body WaterAid commissioned the and establish WASH-HIV waste and hygienic practices study to identify opportunities integration committees or which improve health. WASH is for integration and recommend working groups into meetings particularly important for people policy and operational strategies funded by WASH and HIV living with HIV/AIDS because for integration at the federal level programmes. their compromised immune and in two of its focal states— 3. Integrate WASH into HIV system makes them more

Mai Ruwa Newsletter of WaterAid Nigeria 5 susceptible to opportunistic WaterAid Nigeria study charts course for infections. Diarrhoea is the leading opportunistic infection decentralisation to LGAs affecting PLHA. Studies have by Omolade Olalekan shown that HIV-positive infants new study by WaterAid sation of roles and responsi- are 11 times more likely to die ANigeria has called on bilities in the WASH sector as from diarrhoea than HIV-negative advocates of decentralisa- provided in the 2004 National ones, and that up to 90 percent tion of authority to local Water and Sanitation Policy. of PLHA will develop diarrhoea governments (LGs) in Nigeria The LMDGI is also WaterAid’s during their lifetime.Water, to engage with the on-going strategic approach to ensuring sanitation, and hygiene practices constitution review process. that decentralisation works at are crucial for maintaining This is to ensure LGAs get LGA level. health, and are particularly their dues as the third tier important in programmes A major objective of the of government, particularly LMDGI is the development of to reduce the impact of HIV in respect to getting a direct and AIDS. Yet, for the most LGA local development plans flow of resources from the (LDPs) to provide required part, WASH is not included federation account. in the national policies and support to achieve the WASH programmes for Human HIV. This is one of the recommen- related MDGs. dations of a study commis-

“We shall not finally defeat AIDS, tuberculosis, malaria, or any other infectious diseases that plague the developing world until we have won the battle for safe drinking water, sanitation and basic health care” Photo: WaterAid Nigeria/Taye Balogun Nigeria/Taye WaterAid Photo: Kofi Annan, former UN Secretary-General Efforts to decentralise governance in Nigeria are aimed at improving service delivery. The study also assessed the sioned by WaterAid Nigeria impact of the LMDGI on LGA through the European Com- autonomy and the ability to mission funded project ‘EU finance WASH services. water facility’ to assess the scope of the implementa- Other assessments of the tion of the Local Millennium study looked at how the Development Goals Initia- LMDGI process had improved tive (LMDGI), a strategy for planning; monitoring and achieving the water, sanita- evaluation; resource man- tion, and hygiene (WASH) agement; maintenance of targets of the millennium LGA autonomy; management development goals (MDGs). capabilities in communities; implementation of reporting One of the bedrocks of the mechanisms; and the man- initiative is the decentrali- agement of challenges.

6 Mai Ruwa Newsletter of WaterAid Nigeria The study found that the LMDGI High level of acceptance attends pilot use of process was not fully imple- rope pump technology in Nigeria by Dayo Olugboye mented, and the LDPs not as widely disseminated or market- he rope pump, which WaterAid Nigeria introduced in 2009 ed as required in some LGAs. Tto improve access to safe water from open wells, has been However, it did find that there applauded in several communities in Nigeria where it has been were improvements in the ca- field-tested. pacity of LGAs using the LMDGI Reports and evidence from pilot sites indicate high levels of to plan and implement sustain- acceptance from appreciative community members who say the able WASH service delivery. rope pump has drastically reduced the drudgery of fetching water All the states visited in the from open wells. course of the study had water The rope pump has been piloted in Bauchi, Enugu, Plateau, and and sanitation policies that Zamfara states as well as in the Federal Capital Territory. Some of supported decentralisation. In the communities have expressed hope that the use of the pump will addition, LGAs supported by be scaled up soon. WaterAid had developed LPDs in the form of a medium-term In September, members of the National Technical Core Group sector strategy to support the (NTCG), during a meeting in , Plateau State, undertook a field trip decentralisation process. to Yankot community in Langtang North Local Government Area of Plateau State, where a pump is in use. The NTCG received feedback Following the study, Water- on the pump and, in particular, on improvements to the technology Aid began providing strategic since its introduction in 2009. support for decentralisation in some LGAs in Enugu and Jigawa According to Mr Solomon Bature, proprietor of SOLBATEC, a private states with the support of the engineering firm engaged in the production of the rope pump, one European Union Water Facility. major improvement is the use of the Rubex 60 mm rope to replace the original polymer rope. The improvements, which are mostly technical, are said to have improved the sustainable use of the pump without increasing its cost significantly. The Jos meeting discussed progress in the development of the rope pump technology and an action plan to achieve a standardised rope pump that is easy to scale up nationally. The rope pump was introduced in 2009 in collaboration with the

Photo: WaterAid Nigeria WaterAid Photo: National Water Resources Institute (NWRI), , through a technology adaptation process in

WaterAid in Nigeria’s Technical Support Manager with community members at a well during the installation of which WaterAid Nigeria groundwater monitoring equipment and rope pump monitoring. facilitated the training of partners in Burkina Faso and Ghana. On their return to Nigeria, some of the trainees were constituted into the NTCG on rope pump development in Nigeria.

Mai Ruwa Newsletter of WaterAid Nigeria 7 Post-implementation monitoring survey (PIMS) by Kitchinme Bawa and Chris Brown

aterAid Nigeria of households in small town Wembarked on a implementations). post-implementation The exercise was divided into monitoring survey in or- two regional processes with der to establish an in- each region consisting of 14 ventory of water supply data collectors divided into and sanitation facilities state teams that were managed in the organisation’s by the WaterAid programme six focal states. These managers who led their teams facilities were funded in the field, taking part in the directly by WaterAid data collection as well as pro- through hardware sup- viding technical and logistical port and a community support and feedback to the mobilization process. project management team. The process focused on three key years A total of 1973 surveys were of implementation: carried out including 269 water 2007, 2009 and 2011 infrastructure surveys, 93 in order to create a 1, sanitation infrastructure sur- 3 and 5-year baseline veys and 1611 rapid household inventory, which can surveys. In spite of a number be used to analyse the of technical challenges, the effectiveness of WANG PIMS process was a successful policies and implemen- capacity-building exercise for tation approaches. all involved, and will serve to add value to WaterAid’s work in The importance of post- Nigeria. intervention monitoring formed the foundation for the PIMS methodol- ogy, which represents Porter Nigeria/Suzanne WaterAid Photo: the formulation of water and sanitation infrastructure surveys that collect data on a range of core ‘red flag’ indicators. The aim CSO partners, government collaborate to is to create a baseline of informa- transform water supply sector tion that is easy to collect, anal- by Saheed Mustafa yse, update and can be used for rincipal officers of the Bauchi going efforts to ensure that the effective and informed decision- State House of Assembly, lawmakers expeditiously pass making at the district, regional P members of the State House the bill for the reformation of the and country levels. Committee on Water Resources, state’s urban water supply sec- Data was collected by a team and other water and sanitation tor. comprising WaterAid Nigeria staff stakeholders in the state attend- The retreat was co-funded by the and local government partners in ed a retreat aimed at ensuring a Women Empowerment Initiative the six states through randomly better understanding of issues Nigeria (WEIN)through WaterAid sampled rapid household sur- contained in the draft bill of the Nigeria’s Governance Transpar- veys in each of the communities Bauchi State water law. ency Fund (GTF) programme, a surveyed (five per community in The two-day retreat, held in Abuja project that sets out to engage rural communities, and a repre- in December 2012, is part of on- in urban reforms in Plateau and sentative sample of 10 per cent

8 Mai Ruwa Newsletter of WaterAid Nigeria ‘Access to WASH’ goes on radio by Saheed Mustafa he State Chapter of the WASH Media Network has launched ‘Access to WASH’, a 30-minute radio Tprogramme highlighting urban WASH issues primarily in Lagos State. Scheduled to run for 24 weeks, the programme is an outcome of a workshop organised by the Society for Water and Sanitation (NEWSAN), with support from WaterAid Nigeria in February 2012. The goal of the three- day workshop for CSO partners was to strengthen their capacity to engage with decision-makers and promote pro-poor approaches in urban reform. Aired once a week on Radio 1 choice fm 103.5 Lagos, the programme provides a platform for

Photo: WaterAid Nigeria/Babatope Babalobi Nigeria/Babatope WaterAid Photo: dialogue between decision-makers and the people, and seeks to inform the public about issues in the urban WASH sector, and strengthen their capacity to demand their rights. The programme uses different programming formats, including features and interviews with key sector players such as government officials, CSO members, other stakeholders, and members of the public. The programme is funded by UKaid’s Governance and WASH journalists at Makoko, a slum in Lagos, gathering Transparency Fund programme through the WaterAid/NEWSAN material for the radio programme. partnership.

Bauchi states. Prior to the retreat, WEIN had of the House Committees, House The goal of the reform in Bauchi signed a memorandum of under- Clerk, the Commissioner and Per- State is to strengthen the capac- standing with Sustainable Water manent Secretary in the Ministry ity of the state water board to be- and Sanitation for Africa to advo- of Water Resources, the Manag- come more efficient and improve cate pro-poor approaches in the ing Director of the water board, its water supply services. This on-going reforms in some states other government officials, CSOs will increase access to safe water in the country. and the media. for urban dwellers, including the Thereafter, the Bauchi State urban poor Ministry of Water Resources When the bill is passed into law, developed an institutional, legal it will mandate the state water and regulatory framework for the utility to change its name to reform process with support from Bauchi State Water and Sewer- SUWASA. age Corporation and grant it the Participants at the retreat in- autonomy it needs to operate cluded the Speaker of the Bauchi cost-recovery options for efficient state House of Assembly, minori- service delivery. ty and majority leaders, members

Mai Ruwa Newsletter of WaterAid Nigeria 9 WaterAid Nigeria holds workshop to review urban strategy by Saheed Mustafa

he current population trend Tin Nigeria shows that more people are migrating to the urban areas causing rapid urbanisation. This in turn results in inadequate basic social infrastructure, in- cluding a lack of access to safe drinking water and improved sanitation. In response to the urban popu- lation trend, WaterAid Nigeria, through the Governance and

Transparency Fund (GTF) pro- Mustafa Nigeria/Saheed WaterAid Photo: gramme, organised a workshop facilitated with support from Participants at the workshop WaterAid UK’s Technical Support Manager (Urban), Timeyin Uwe- Organisations such as Dadur- gramme is currently in its third jamomere, to review its urban Bol Development Association, year of implementation. strategy in Abuja. The workshop Women Empowerment Initiative The GTF programme aims to had in attendance key stakehold- in Nigeria, NEWSAN National, strengthen the capacity of civil ers including WANG traditional NEWSAN Ogun State, NEWSAN society and other non-state ac- partners, CSOs, and government South East, the WASH Media Net- tors to participate in effective institutions from across the work and BENGONET all devel- evidence-based dialogue with country. oped work plans for the imple- decision-makers in the water and mentation of the draft strategy, The workshop provided the sanitation sector, and build pres- Nigeria Water Supply Association sure to secure pro-poor service stakeholders the opportunity to (NWSA) officials of the Ministry of contribute to the review of the delivery. WaterAid Nigeria has Water Resources and Abuja Water identified the GTF programme WANG urban strategy spanning Board representative. the remainder of the WANG Coun- as an opportunity to deepen its try Programme strategic period. The WaterAid/Governance and urban work in Nigeria. Transparency Fund programme A review of the urban strategy is a DFID (UKaid)-funded pro- will reflect current trends and gramme challenges in the urban WASH managed sector in Nigeria. This will in turn by Water- provide the necessary guideline Aid Nige- for the current and future work of ria, and WaterAid Nigeria and her part- imple- ners. At the end of the two-day mented workshop, a draft strategy was by three developed. partners— Partners at the workshop de- NEWSAN, veloped activities based on the WEIN and Mustafa Nigeria/Saheed WaterAid Photo: change objectives identified in DBOLDA). Participants at the workshop the course of the discussions. The pro-

10 Mai Ruwa Newsletter of WaterAid Nigeria New Projects

lmost 500,000 people in Athree Nigerian states are HSBC Water Programme supports to benefit from a $25million grant given by international .5 million people in Nigeria bank, Hong Kong Shanghai by Adejumoke Alagbe Banking corporation (HSBC) to WaterAid to provide water well as communicate and sanitation access in six to stakeholders countries in Asia and Africa. the difference that The HSBC Water Programme organisations like (HWP) will provide over HSBC and WaterAid 170,000 people with access are making to to safe water and over communities across 316,000 people with access Nigeria. to improved sanitation in Esiebo /Andrew WaterAid Photo: According to Dr Bauchi, Benue and Plateau Michael Ojo, WaterAid during the Nigeria’s Country five-year period of the grant. Representative: ‘Water is essential not This is a big project only to human health and and a very exciting happiness, but to the partnership through prosperity of individuals and which the lives of the economic development many poor and of nations,’ said HSBC Group vulnerable people Chairman, Douglas Flint, at will be transformed. the launch of the HWP in June We hope that there 2012. will be a positive The statement underlined impact on economic both HSBC and WaterAid’s development in belief that access to water, communities and sanitation and hygiene Mary Acheo, a trader in Olo-Obande community, in Ado LGA, Benue State that this will be says clean water is important for her business. Her community will benefit demonstrated play a fundamental part in from the HSBC water programme. economic development and particularly in the lives - 19 July 2012. The workshop are an essential first step in of children. set out to equip the WaterAid enabling people overcome Nigeria team as poverty. well as its local Altogether, the programme will government and provide 1.1 million people with civil society partners access to safe water, and 1.9 to implement million people with access to the project in the sanitation in Nigeria, Ghana, country. Bangladesh, India, Nepal and The project seeks to Pakistan. bring lasting change As part of preparations for the to people’s lives, project’s take-off in Nigeria, demonstrate the WaterAid organized a three-day economic and social inception workshop from 17 impacts of water, as

Mai Ruwa Newsletter of WaterAid Nigeria 11 target communities. Gates-funded sustainable total About 120 sanitation stake- holders and organisations sanitation project takes off from across the country at- by Mimi Ishan and Kitchinme Bawa tended the project launch in Abuja. They included representatives of all 10 project LGAs; the National Task Group on Sanitation; Enugu State Commissioner for Water Resources, Engr. Charles Ajah; LGA Chairmen; Water Supply and Sanitation

Photo: WaterAid Nigeria/Wale Elekolusi Nigeria/Wale WaterAid Photo: Collaborative Council WASH Ambassador, Engr Ebele Okeke; and Permanent Secretary, Federal Ministry of Water Resources, Am- bassador Godknows Igali. Representatives of the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF), UK Depart- ment for International WaterAid Nigeria Country Representative, Dr Michael Ojo, at the launch of the STS project along with the Ministry of Water Resources Permanent Secretary, Ambassador Godknows Igali and WSSCC WASH Ambassador, Engr. Ebele Development (DFID), Okeke. the National Water bout 500 communities Launched in Abuja on 11 Octo- Resources Institute, Aspread over three states ber 2012, the four-year action the Governors Forum, and the and 10 LGAs across Nigeria are research sanitation project Youth WASH Network also at- to benefit in the Sustainable which will cost about $5.6 mil- tended. Total Sanitation (STS) project lion, aims to increase sustain- funded by the Bill and Melinda able sanitation access in the Gates Foundation (BMGF). 500 communities using the The total sanitation project in improved community-led total The STS project will sanitation (CLTS) approach. Nigeria is being undertaken ultimately encourage under the auspices of a grant In addition to improving ac- behaviour change and awarded to WaterAid by the Bill cess to sanitation in selected and Melinda Gates Foundation. communities, the project will a shift towards more The contract, signed at the end undertake formal research to consistent achievement of June 2012, will be carried out provide additional evidence on of open defecation free by WaterAid Nigeria from 2012 some key questions and advo- (ODF) status in target to 2016. cate policy and practice chang- communities. The intervention will be imple- es nationally and regionally. mented in Jigawa, Ekiti and The STS project will ultimately Enugu States, and will target 80 encourage behaviour change communities with an estimated and a shift towards more con- population of 100,000 people sistent achievement of open in the first year alone. defecation free (ODF) status in

12 Mai Ruwa Newsletter of WaterAid Nigeria Campaigns

he federal ministries in She thanked the numerous Tcharge of water resources, development and financial world and agriculture and rural de- partners in Nigeria’s WASH sec- velopment have agreed to work tor for their immense contribu- ay together to ensure the sustain- tions. water by Saheed MustafaD able management of Nigeria’s In a goodwill message at the & Oluseyi Abdulmalik water, land and related resourc- event, WaterAid Nigeria’s then es for optimum and equitable in-coming Country Representa- development. tional water and sanitation tive, Dr Michael Ojo, said that crisis, encourage our leaders The decision was announced despite the investments and to act and, very importantly, to at a symposium to commemo- intervention programmes in the also influence Nigeria’s partici- rate the 2012 World Water Day water sanitation and hygiene pation at the Sanitation and jointly organised by the Federal sector, it was shocking that Water for All High Level Meeting Ministry of Water Resources, diarrhoea was still the biggest scheduled to hold in Washing- WaterAid Nigeria and other killer of children in Africa. ton in April 2012.” stakeholders. “Diarrhoea kills more children The Permanent Secretary of Giving her World Water Day ad- than AIDS, malaria and mea- the Federal Ministry of Water dress, under the global theme sles combined,” he said, urging Resources, Ambassador God- Water and Food Security, Min- government to take the lead in knows Igali, expressed the ister of Water Resources, Mrs achieving the water and sanita- ministry’s appreciation of the Sarah Ochekpe, reiterated her tion targets of the Millennium efforts of WaterAid Nigeria and ministry’s determination to en- Development Goals (MDGs). the then Acting Country Repre- sure that all Nigerians have ac- “We hope to influence na- sentative, Timeyin Uwejamo- cess to safe water despite the tional political commitment mere, to the WASH sector. uneven spatial and temporary to improved water, sanita- distribution and the imbalance The WWD activities were Uwe- tion and hygiene practices. jamomere’s last public events, in demand and supply that At WaterAid, we are using the pose considerable challenges and Ambassador Igali spoke opportunity of this year’s World glowingly of his contributions to water resource planners and Water Day to raise awareness managers. during his six-month stint, say- about the global and na- ing the occasion was an oppor- tunity for the WASH sector to bid him farewell. Country Representative of Food and Agriculture Organisation, Ms Louise Lobisa Setshwaelo also attended the symposium. ‘Diarrhoea kills more children than AIDS, malaria and measles combined’ Photo Credit: WaterAid Nigeria/Kitchinme Bawa Nigeria/Kitchinme WaterAid Credit: Photo

The Permanent Secretary of the Federal Ministry of Water Resources; the Honourable Minister of Water Resources; WANG’s CR and outgoing Acting CR and other officials watch an exhibition at the symposium organised to commemorate WWD

Mai Ruwa Newsletter of WaterAid Nigeria 13 Miss WheelChair Nigeria calls for more inclusive approach to WASH service delivery in Nigeria by Oluseyi Abdulmalik

he water and sanitation disabilities (PWDs) in the efforts to get the nation back Ttargets of the MDGs will design and construction of on track in terms of the Mil- never be equitably met in water and sanitation facilities lennium Development Goals in the country, (MDGs). Miss Jerry Jerry’s advocacy started bear- expressed ing fruit at Highland FM where dismay that the management committed to maintaining installing ramps in the prem- basic hygiene ises to ensure that offices are remains a more accessible to PWDs. daily struggle for millions The station also agreed to col- of PWDs laborate to promote inclusive because of WASH in Plateau State and air the challenges radio jingles on WASH free of they face in charge.

Photo: WaterAid Nigeria/Wale Elekolusi Nigeria/Wale WaterAid Photo: accessing More than 63 million Nigeri- water and ans live without access to safe sanitation water while 103 million live facilities. without access to adequate She therefore sanitation. PWDs are worse off appealed to because of the challenges they stakeholders face in accessing water and to go beyond sanitation facilities. Grace Jerry is WaterAid Nigeria’s spokesperson for disability in WASH. just providing water and sanitation Nigeria unless the needs of facilities in communities, to persons with disabilities are ensuring that these facilities included in sector plans,says are more inclusive for everyone, Miss Wheelchair Nigeria, Grace particularly those with special Jerry. conditions. Grace Jerry, who is also The beauty queen also stressed WaterAid Nigeria’s official the need to prioritise WASH spokesperson for disability in issues at all levels in order to Balogun Nigeria/Taye WaterAid Photo: WASH, made the declaration promote the health and eco- during interviews on Nigeria nomic well-being of Nigerians. Television Authority’s AM Express and Highland “The slow progress in this all- FM in Plateau State. The important sector holds back interviews were organised to progress in other sectors such commemorate the 2012 World as health and education de- ‘maintaining basic Water Day. spite increased spending in those areas,” she explained, hygiene remains a Lamenting the increasing adding that the Nigerian Gov- neglect of the voices and ernment and all WASH sector daily struggle for mil- needs of persons with stakeholders need to intensify lions of PWDs’

14 Mai Ruwa Newsletter of WaterAid Nigeria Out-going WANG Acting Country Representative honoured by Oluseyi Abdulmalik Photo: WaterAid Nigeria/Saheed Mustafa Nigeria/Saheed WaterAid Photo:

The Minister of Water Resources, Mrs Sarah Ochekpe, presents a painting to out-going WaterAid Nigeria Acting Country Representative, Timeyin Uwejamomere. Left is the Permanent Secretary Ambassador Godknows Igali. “This painting is to remind us all that water must He assured the Minister of WaterAid’s commitment be freely available to all.” to working in Nigeria to achieve the objective of wa- Those were some of the parting words uttered by ter access for all. the Permanent Secretary of the Federal Ministry Responding, Mrs Ochekpe thanked WaterAid for its of Water Resources, Ambassador Godknows Igali, collaboration with the ministry to mark the year’s after the Minister, Mrs Sarah Ochekpe, presented edition of the annual World Water Day, and for its on- WaterAid Nigeria Acting Country Representative, going support to the WASH sector. Timeyin Uwejamomere, with a farewell gift. Welcoming Dr Ojo, the new WaterAid Nigeria Country The gift—a painting by a young Nigerian artist— Representative, she urged him to sustain the rela- depicts a child drinking water from a tap. tionship with the ministry which, she said, needs Mr Uwejamomere was honoured during a courtesy partners like WaterAid to deliver on its mandate. call on the Minister by a delegation from WaterAid Nigeria after the 2012 World Water Day. Presenting Dr Michael Ojo, the in-coming Country “This painting reminds us Representative, Mr Uwejamomere thanked the Minister for her support during the six months he that water must be freely led the WaterAid Nigeria team and expressed the available to all” hope that Dr Ojo would get the kind of support that he received.

Mai Ruwa Newsletter of WaterAid Nigeria 15 WaterAid Nigeria joins hundreds in walk for water by Saheed Mustafa and Oluseyi Abdulmalik

s part of activities Acommemorating this year’s World Water Day, WaterAid Nigeria joined other water sector stakeholders in a ‘walk for water’. The aim was to raise awareness of the continuing water and sanitation crisis. Organised by the Federal Ministry of Water Resources in collaboration with

WaterAid and other Elekolusi Nigeria/Wale WaterAid Photo: stakeholders, the walk was flagged off by Permanent Secretary of the ministry, Ambassador Godknows The Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Water Resources with WaterAid Nigeria’s outgoing and new Country Igali. Representatives during this year’s World Water Day walk, and launch of WaterAid’s Water Works campaign in Nigeria.

Volunteers from the Ministries in charge of Water Resources, Photo: WaterAid Nigeria/Saheed Mustafa Agriculture, WaterAid Nigeria, the Food and Agriculture Organisation, and the private sector took part in the 40-minute symbolic walk from the Ministry of Water Resources through the streets of Abuja. WaterAid Nigeria used the opportunity to unveil and launch its new Water Works campaign, aimed

WaterAid Nigeria unveiled its Water Works campaign to spread the message and tell the leaders that access to at influencing a national safe water and improved sanitation works! Above, WaterAid Nigeria staff at the Nigerian Television Authority. political commitment to

improved WASH. The campaign called on the country’s leaders to prioritise WASH in the nation’s development agenda and encouraged political leaders to act to solve the WASH crisis. Photo: WaterAid Nigeria/Saheed Mustafa Nigeria/Saheed WaterAid Photo: WaterAid Nigeria’s Water Works campaign called for taps and toilets to address the WASH crisis.

16 Mai Ruwa Newsletter of WaterAid Nigeria Children use arts and essays to demand that water works by Oluseyi Abdulmalik

he Water Works campaign, launched by WaterAid Nigeria during the 2012 World Water Day, sought to Thighlight the crisis caused by inadequate attention on water and sanitation. In his goodwill message, WaterAid Nigeria Country Representative, Dr. Michael Ojo, said that worldwide, thousands of children die every year ‘Water o water due to a lack of access to safe water and sanitation. You are life; you are “WaterAid Nigeria is using the opportunity of this year’s World Water hope Day to give some of these children a voice, and encourage our leaders You are life; you are to listen,” he said. health “Human beings need water, and so do animals, but it is not good for animals and humans to drink from the same place as it’s not safe. Water o water, do not We ask government to give us good, clean water so that we will not let me down!’ fall ill,” said 11-year-old John Anthony from Model Science Primary An excerpt from a poem by Sandra Eje, an 11 School, Garki, Abuja. year-old pupil from LEA Primary School, Kubwa The children presented the Minister of Water Resources, Mrs Sarah II, FCT. The poem was recited at WaterAid Nigeria’s arts and essay exhibition, held to com- Ochekpe, with a bound compilation of their exhibits. memorate the 2012 World Water Day in Nigeria. “This represents the voices of our children demanding safe water and improved sanitation,” said the Minister represented by the former Director of Water Quality and Sanitation, Federal Ministry of Water Re-

Mai Ruwa Newsletter of WaterAid Nigeria 17 sources.. “This is going with us to WASH Ambassador, Engr. Ebele The Water Works campaign, Washington D.C. for the Sanita- Okeke; heads and representa- launched by WaterAid Nigeria tion and Water for All High Level tives of development agencies; during the 2012 World Water Meeting.” civil society members; other stu- Day, sought to highlight the crisis The exhibition was attended by dents from participating schools caused by inadequate attention the Water Supply and Sanitation and their teachers; as well as the on water and sanitation. Collaborative Council (WSSCC) media.

Photos: WaterAid Nigeria/Oluseyi Abdulmalik, Wale Elekolusi

18 Mai Ruwa Newsletter of WaterAid Nigeria Business community, celebrities commit to WASH on 2012 Global Handwashing Day by Adejumoke Alagbe ome notable Nollywood to inform corporate social Spersonalities and members responsibility interventions, global of Nigeria’s business community and lead to potential made varying levels of partnership decisions. hand commitment to support the The event provided a platform ay water, sanitation and hygiene for the guests to gain insights D (WASH) cause at WaterAid into WaterAid’s work in washing Nigeria’s commemoration of the 2012 Global Handwashing Day (GHWD). WaterAid Nigeria (WANG) organised a ‘Global Handwashing Day with the Private Sector’ event in Lagos on the fifth anniversary of GHWD, a campaign launched in 2007 to promote good hygiene and hand-washing with soap or ash. Members of Nigeria’s private sector represented at the event included Access Bank, Zenith Bank, Unilever, Contec Global, and GT Bank. Guests at the event washed their hands in a show of solidarity commemorating Global Handwashing Day and promoting good hygiene practices. Notable personalities from Nollywood, Handwashing with Nigeria’s entertainment industry, soap or ash is one of and the media included Tina the most effective and Mba, Bimbo Manuel, Femi inexpensive ways to Brainard; Dan Chris Ebie and prevent communicable Mike Nliam. infections, particularly The celebrities diarrhoeal diseases committed to such as cholera, support WaterAid’s typhoid, pneumonia and efforts towards intestinal worms. access to safe water, Jolaosho Nigeria/Sam WaterAid Photo: Every year, the improved sanitation, WaterAid Nigeria Country Representative, Dr Michael Ojo, speaks with poplar Nollywood actor, Femi Brainard, at the Global Hand- diarrhoeal diseases are and hygiene through washing Day event. together responsible for messages in their movies and the death of more than on their social media networks, Nigeria and to discuss ways to 3.5million children under the age while the private sector advocate improved national of 5 years. companies committed to further commitment to WASH issues. engagements that are expected

Mai Ruwa Newsletter of WaterAid Nigeria 19 Nearly seven in world Leaders urged to ten women in keep promise on Nigeria lack a safe toilet ay sanitation D toilet says study by Jenchat Bishen by Saheed Mustafa WaterAid research on World Toilet Day he water, sanitation and hygiene crisis that robs Oko Agbon and Otto-Oyingbo . T orld Toilet Day— Nigeria of 1.3 per cent of its Some of the other poll results commemorated on 19 GDP yearly can be resolved if W found that: national and local governments November every year—gave 40% of women are forced to would keep their word to WaterAid Nigeria another defecate in a public place. provide their people with opportunity to call on the A quarter of these have access to safe water and nation’s political leaders to experienced either harassment, sanitation.” improve the people’s access to basic sanitation. threat of violence or actual Country Representative of assault. WaterAid Nigeria, Dr Michael The call followed the release 61% of women find the toilets Ojo, made the declaration of the results of a study they regularly use to be during a press briefing to commissioned by WaterAid unhygienic. commemorate the 2012 World which showed that 67 per Toilet Day on 19 November cent of women surveyed have 56% of women avoid using 2012. no access to a safe toilet, toilets at certain times of the day to avoid putting “Decision makers have made themselves at risk. promises locally, nationally, regionally and globally to 98% saw it is important for provide safe water and the Nigerian Government sanitation, and now is the to prioritise sanitation, in time to turn these words into comparison to education and action and make real progress transport. Photo: WaterAid Nigeria / Saheed Mustafa Saheed / Nigeria WaterAid Photo: towards providing sanitation Engr. Ebele Okeke, WSSCC WASH Ambassador, Although there are very real and water for all, including signs the Keep Your Promises campaign petition. benefits to improved access the poorest and marginalised threatening their health and to adequate sanitation and communities. These promises exposing them to shame, fear hygiene, access to sanitation must be kept to bring an end to and even violence. remains a major challenge in the global sanitation and water the country. Sanitation not only The survey of women living crisis,” Dr Ojo said. saves lives, but also makes in five slums across Lagos, With the largest population in lives better. There are financial showed that one in five had Africa, a huge proportion of the gains to be realised through first or second hand experience shortfalls in universal access to ending open defecation and of verbal harassment and water, sanitation and hygiene ensuring adequate sanitation intimidation, or had been are found right here in Nigeria at the individual, community threatened or physically where 103 million people still and national level. assaulted in the last year when defecate in the open. These going to the toilet. World Toilet Day, which is deficiencies create a massive observed annually, focuses on The survey was conducted crisis as they undermine health the importance of sanitation, by international polling and systems, and aims to raise awareness research company, GlobeScan of the consequences of lack continued on page 22 who polled 500 women of access to toilets and proper between 18 and 22 October sanitation. 2012 in Ajegunle, Ijora, Badia,

20 Mai Ruwa Newsletter of WaterAid Nigeria WASH United Charity Football Tournament draws attention to WASH issues by Jenchat Bishen

s part of its activities com- community forum in Nyanya, The tournament, which took Amemorating the 2012 World a suburb of Abuja. The project place from 10 - 17 November Toilet Day, WaterAid Nigeria, must be one requiring capacity 2012, formed part of WaterAid through the Governance and building for people who would Nigeria’s activities launching the Transparency Fund programme, participate in a WASH school ‘Keep Your Promises’ campaign. was proud to be supporting for campaign using footballers as As part of the End Water Poverty the second time, a WASH United role models. coalition, WaterAid joined many charity football tournament. The football tournament was across the world to launch the The tournament, which aimed to organised in association with Keep Your Promises campaign draw attention to the WASH crisis the Nigerian Football Federation, on this year’s World Toilet Day. in the country, was organised The campaign will see supporters by the Network on Water and across the globe Sanitation in Nigeria (NEWS- taking action AN) in collaboration with the throughout the Youth Water, Sanitation and year and calling Hygiene Network, Africa. on their politi- cians to keep the Using football as a medium promises they for mobilisation, the tourna- have made on ment also sought to increase sanitation and community awareness for water. improved youth engage- ment and participation in Mustafa Saheed / Nigeria Photo:WaterAid While commend- the WASH sector and call on ing the Nigerian government to keep its prom- government’s efforts, WaterAid ises on increasing access to Winners of the WASH United Charity football tournament. WASH services. is joining the End Water Poverty coalition to call for a step change from all governments to keep all of their promises to improve ac- cess to sanitation and water, and to go beyond these commitments and work towards achieving uni- versal access to basic sanitation and safe drinking water. Photo:WaterAid Nigeria / Saheed Mustafa Saheed / Nigeria Photo:WaterAid The Keep Your Promises cam- paign has four main demands— more money, better use of mon- ey, improved transparency, and making sanitation and water a priority beyond 2015. At the WASH United Charity football tournament held to commemorate World Toilet Day. The campaign is local, national, The final match, held at Govern- regional, and global, and is desir- UN-Habitat Youth Programme in ment Secondary School, Zone ous of seeing water and sanita- Nigeria, WASH United, End Water 4, Abuja, was won by Capitol FC, tion promises made at all levels Poverty, National Task Group on who received a trophy and cash kept. Sanitation (NTGS) and the Water prize of 50,000 Naira to be used Supply and Sanitation Collabora- for a joint project with a WASH tive Council (WSSCC).

Mai Ruwa Newsletter of WaterAid Nigeria 21 Leaders from page 20 2012 staff retreat helps shape the economic development, education, and gender WANG team by Victoria Chenge equality. haping the Dream Team was the theme of WaterAid Nigeria’s Worldwide, about 2.5 billion S2012 annual staff retreat; a theme chosen to highlight the people lack access to adequate importance of strengthening the Country Programme and underline sanitation. In Nigeria, current the need to deliver on new and existing goals and objectives. estimates show that only In order to achieve the goals of the organisation, “we must 32% of the population has recognise our potentials, increase our performance and represent access to improved sanitation ourselves and WaterAid more effectively,” said the Country facilities while about 86,000 Representative, Dr Michael Ojo. deaths, mainly among children under five, occur annually due The retreat emphasised five key areas critical to the success of to diseases predominantly the Nigeria Country Programme—delivering on user numbers, caused by poor sanitation and integrating year one objectives of the new projects, improving hygiene practices. documenting and sharing of WaterAid Nigeria’s work, and delivering a workable 2013/14 multi-year plan and budget. As a member of the End Water Poverty Coalition, WaterAid The staff retreat is an annual WaterAid Nigeria event that provides joined the rest of the world to the opportunity to take stock of the achievements and challenges launch the Keep Your Promises of the out-going year, show appreciation to long serving staff campaign on World Toilet Day. members, and honour those who have distinguished themselves in The campaign will culminate the course of their duties. The staff retreat also allowed staff to relax at the MDGs Summit in New and bond, and provided the rare opportunity to enjoy some sports York in September 2013 when and games. the Keep Your Promises global petition will be presented to decision makers. The petition calls on governments globally to work towards achieving universal access to basic sanitation and safe drinking water. Photo: WaterAid Nigeria WaterAid Photo:

WANG staff at the retreat.

22 Mai Ruwa Newsletter of WaterAid Nigeria Influencing for Change Meetings with ECOWAS Commission highlight WASH issues in West Africa by Tolani Busari

he need for the governments The WaterAid team also met water and adequate sanitation Tof the nations in West Africa with the ECOWAS Parliament by West Africans and the to honour their promises to Bureau’s Secretary-General, Mr need for the governments improve WASH coverage in Mohammed Diakite, and the in the region to prioritise their individual countries was Secretary to the Parliament’s the provision of these basic the subject of discussions with committee on agriculture, services. representatives of the ECOWAS environment, water resources The parliamentarians promised Commission and Parliament. and rural development, Dr Alieu to raise the lack of access The ECOWAS Commission Senghore. to WASH services with the team included the Vice The meeting led to a individual governments and President, Dr T Mcintosh and subsequent joint presentation within the larger ECOWAS Director of Environment, Dr J to the ECOWAS parliament Parliament. Boanuh; while the WaterAid committees on agriculture, Nigeria team included Country environment, water resources Representative, Dr Michael Ojo; and rural development, child Regional Advocacy Manager, protection and human rights. West Africa, Mohammed The presentation highlighted Abdul-Nashiru; and Head of the challenges and effect of Governance, Tolani Busari. lack of access to safe drinking

Regional Advocacy Strategy Workshop by Tolani Busari

aterAid Nigeria hosted all Daniel Yeo. support and challenges, Wseven country programme The purpose of the meeting involving policy and campaigns advocacy leads across West was to develop long-term staff to improve advocacy work. Africa at a regional advocacy advocacy strategies in line with Individual country programmes, workshop organised by the global vision and advocacy now more than ever, are WaterAid regional office for appreciating their role in West Africa in July 2012. contributing to the The four-day event was attainment of facilitated by the Regional organisational and regional Advocacy Manager (West priorities. They have made Africa), Mohammed Abdul- a commitment to work Nashiru, with support from collectively involving policy the WaterAid UK Campaigns and practice staff to achieve Coordinator (Africa and Asia), significant change in poor Pankaj KC, and Senior Policy priorities. The workshop peoples’ lives. Analyst (Climate Change), provided a platform for mutual

Mai Ruwa Newsletter of WaterAid Nigeria 23 OUTREACH BRIEFS by Saheed Mustafa and Tolani Busari Photo: WaterAid Nigeria/Taye Balogun Nigeria/Taye WaterAid Photo:

National Orientation African Development Bank Agency, WaterAid Nigeria to collaborate with WANG in explore ways to collaborate capacity building team comprising some WaterAid t a meeting on 12 December 2012, two ANigeria and the National Orientation Aofficials of the African Development Agency(NOA) staff was set up to look into Bank (AfDB) Group expressed the Bank’s ways both organisations can work together to willingness to collaborate with WANG to improve access to WASH in Nigeria. build the capacity of NGOs and government institutions in monitoring and evaluation, WaterAid Nigeria initiated the meeting pro-poor approaches to urban WASH reforms to explore the possibility of working with as well as procurement processes and the agency as part of WANG’s strategy systems. of influencing key stakeholders and mainstreaming WASH into the larger WaterAid Nigeria initiated the meeting to development efforts of the nation. build on the opportunities identified during a strategy session of various civil society The meeting was attended by the Country organisations and international non- Representative, Dr Michael Ojo; Head of governmental organisations in 2012. Governance, Tolani Busari; and Advocacy and Partnership Manager, Saheed Mustafa. aterAid Nigeria participated in a meeting WaterAid Nigeria Wof the Expert Group on the MDGs organ- ised by the Office of the Senior Special Assis- participates in MDGs expert tant to the President on MDGs. The objective of the meeting was to draw lessons for input into group meeting and the post-2015 United Nations Development consultative forum Framework. It therefore reviewed the progress

24 Mai Ruwa Newsletter of WaterAid Nigeria ECOWAS Parliament to hear WASH advocacy at plenary he ECOWAS Parliament has invited WaterAid special session. The presentation, made by TNigeria to make a presentation on WASH in the Tolani Busari, Head of Governance (Nigeria), ECOWAS sub-region at a plenary session of the on behalf of the sub-region’s WaterAid country ECOWAS assembly. offices, highlighted WaterAid’s work and The request followed a similar presentation to the achievements as well as WASH challenges across parliament’s joint committee on water, sanitation, the sub-region. and human rights during an ECOWAS parliament Photo: WaterAid Nigeria/Saheed Mustafa Nigeria/Saheed WaterAid Photo:

A team from WaterAid Nigeria met with the ECOWAS Commission to highlight WASH issues and explore possible areas of collaboration. WANG engages with Nigeria’s Senate t the instance of the Special Adviser on NGOs WaterAid Nigeria is also exploring the possibility Ato Nigeria’s Senate President, Senator David of a similar engagement with the Federal Mark, WaterAid Nigeria is to make a presentation House of Representatives to identify WASH on the need for policies for improved WASH in the champions amongst the lawmakers who will be country in the upper chamber of Nigeria’s National parliamentary voices for WASH. Assembly in 2013.

to date of the implementation of the MDGs. tion coverage, identifying the opportunities, The document produced from the meeting was challenges and the way forward to improve WASH presented at a subsequent national stakeholder’s access in the country. consultative forum, where participants identified The presentations at the meetings were incorpo- the changes they desired in the different thematic rated into Nigeria’s position paper, which was areas of MDGs targets such as poverty reduction, presented at the Rio+10conference in June 2012. gender, health and water and sanitation. Participants at both meetings were drawn from the different sectors covering the eight MDGs, includ- ing health, education and environment. WaterAid Nigeria made a presentation on water and sanita-

Mai Ruwa Newsletter of WaterAid Nigeria 25 Photo: WaterAid Nigeria/Wale Elekolusi Nigeria/Wale WaterAid Photo: Special Report

A cross-section of traditional and religious leaders during the commissioning in Jigawa State. Photo: WaterAid/Wale Elekolusi

...Open defecation-free communities Small town water schemes celebrated aterAid Nigeria, in collaboration with commissioned in Enugu and Wthe European Union and Enugu and Jigawa state governments, has completed and Jigawa States by Oluseyi Abdulmalik handed over 16 small town water schemes to communities in the two states. Jigawa State, and in June 2012 in Ugwunoda, Igbo Etiti Local Government Area of Enugu State. The small town water schemes are part of the WaterAid/European Union Water Facility Project The ceremonies brought together government in Nigeria, implemented officials, traditional leaders, to ensure a demand- civil society organisations, driven approach and implementing partners, increase access to community members and the water and sanitation mass media. The occasion in these small towns was also an opportunity for by 75 and 50 per cent WaterAid and both state respectively. governments to celebrate the achievement of open The official defecation free (ODF) status in commissioning and 13 communities collectively. handing-over took Abdulmalik Nigeria/Oluseyi WaterAid Photo: place in May 2012 in Community members who One of the new small town water schemes in Ugwunoda, Igbo Etiti local Gakori, Kaugama Local government area voluntarily serve as peer Government Area of

26 Mai Ruwa Newsletter of WaterAid Nigeria educators and campaigners the critical gap in WASH service relief from many years of acute for sanitation and hygiene in delivery and ensuring that such water scarcity. In Ugwunoda, their communities became services have local ownership Enugu State, for instance, people voluntary hygiene promoters and are sustainable. used to trek about 10 kilometres (VHP) and natural leaders. They to fetch water from Adada River He expressed appreciation for were empowered by the project or paid 400 Naira (approximately the commitment of both state to assist their communities to £1.60) for a 100-litre container of governments and the support become open defecation free water from tanker drivers. of the people of the small through the community-led total towns in ensuring the smooth The elderly and persons living sanitation (CLTS) process. delivery of the water schemes. with disabilities who could Government representatives He also commended the state not trek the distance and had at both events expressed their and local governments that had no helpers had very low water state governments’ pleasure at paid their counterpart funds, access. Some barely managed to the hand-over of the schemes to urging the others to honour their have a bath once in a week. the communities, stressing the counterpart funding obligations In this second phase of the government’s commitment to to the programme. project, the small town water intensifying efforts to address Water Consumer Associations schemes have improved access the challenges of the WASH (WCAs), which are grassroots to water for 187,100 mostly poor sector by continuing to work management structures for the beneficiaries in the selected with development partners such water schemes, were established small towns. as WaterAid and the European in beneficiary communities to Union. The construction of ventilated ensure that the projects are improved pit (VIP) latrines has Country Representative, Dr sustainable. In Jigawa State, the resulted in access to improved Michael Ojo led the WaterAid government replicated the WCA sanitation for about 14,000 team at both events and structure for 102 schemes. people. emphasised that WaterAid’s Community members and local partnership with the two state The WaterAid/European Union government officials in both governments is focused on filling Water Facility Project in Enugu states spoke of the indescribable and Jigawa states was launched in 2007. Dubbed Closing the Gap: Improving Water Supply and Sanitation Provision in Small Towns in Nigeria, it aimed to promote a coordinated, sustainable, and cost-effective Photo: WaterAid Nigeria/Wale Elekolusi Nigeria/Wale WaterAid Photo: approach to accelerating the achievement of the MDG targets for water and sanitation in rapidly emerging small towns in Nigeria. The small town water schemes have contributed immensely to improving access to water for the poorest communities

Mai Ruwa Newsletter of WaterAid Nigeria 27

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