1500 communities in Bauchi now open defecation-free ― UNICEF

The Chief, UNICEF Field Officer Bauchi State Mr Bhanu Pathak, has declared that no fewer than 1,500 communities in Bauchi State have become Open Defecation Free (ODF) through the provision of access to basic sanitation facilities in 4 Local Government Areas of Dass, Warji, Bogoro and Ganawa of the state.

Mr Pathak who disclosed this in Jos, Plateau State during the Bauchi State Sanitation, Hygiene and Water Project in Nigeria SHAWN II Exit meeting commended the Bauchi State government for its continued commitment to the improvement of lives of the people, especially the support to the realization of the rights of women and children and also for its prompt payment of counterpart fund for the SHAWN II project.

According to him, SHAWN project is currently being implemented in 12 local government out of the 20 council areas of the state adding that the state deserved commendation for providing 100 new hand pump boreholes, 65 solar motorized boreholes and 30 blocks of pour-flush latrines even with the covid-19 pandemic.

“Over the years, SHAWN II has strategically invested in institutional and community capacity and systems building. Systems and protocols including expanded guidelines for WASHCOMs, guidelines for contacts management, harmonisation procurement guidelines among others.”

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He added that the roll-out of SHAWN II exit strategy with a focus on sustainability and withdrawal by December was being carried out in two ways which are phasing down of SHAWN II interventions and phasing over if SHAWN II interventions.

In his address Bauchi State Commissioner for Rural Development, Barrister Jidauna Tula Mbami, who was represented by a Director in the ministry Mr Nathaniel Muazu enjoined the participants to endeavour to usher in a new era and solution to the problem of poor sanitation and hygienic ravaging the society.

He, therefore, commended the efforts of the RUWASSA and his resolute team for leaving no stones unturned in ensuring that all laid down rules and procedures set by the donor partners are followed.

NIGERIAN TRIBUNE

1500 communities in Bauchi now open defecation-free ― UNICEF