UNICEF Specialist Says 74% Of Kwara Residents Now Have Access To ‘Clean Water’
Kwara state Government has expressed readiness for collaboration with donor agencies with a view to eradicating open defecation in the state.
A statement made available to Team@orientactualmags.com on Saturday noted that the state Commissioner for Water Resources, Hon. Usman Yunusa Lade, gave this assurance when the United Nations International Children’s Emergency Fund (UNICEF) Wash Specialist, Mrs. Theressa Pammer, visited his office in Ilorin, the state capital.
The Commissioner disclosed that the state government has set aside the sum of 200 million naira to provide toilets and other wash facilities at health, and educational institutions and marketplaces in the state.
Hon. Lade added that the state government has recently flagged off campaign against open defecation as part of the state government’s efforts to educate, enlighten, and sensitize the public on the need to have toilet facilities at their respective residences.
He emphasized that the state and National Assembly members from the state have been contacted on the need to complement the effort of the state government by providing wash facilities in their respective constituencies to eradicate open defecation in the state.
He also appealed to well-meaning individuals, organizations, and non-governmental organizations to join the government’s efforts in this direction.
Earlier, the UNICEF Wash Specialist from the Kaduna office, Mrs. Theressa Pammer, had told the ministry’s top officials that she was in the state to see how her organization could support the state in eliminating open defecation.
Mrs. Pammer said that the percentage of Kwarans with access to clean water has greatly moved from less than 50% in 2018 to 74% as of 2021 according to Water Sanitation and Hygiene Committee (WASH-COM) survey, adding that stringent measures must be taken to sustain the improvement already recorded in the sector.
She added that educational institutions, health centres, and other public places across the state should all be provided with Wash facilities, noting that hygiene is key to any healthy environment.
She urged the state government to work towards a 100 percent drinkable water supply to the people of the state, explaining further that the state has what it takes to set a pace for others to emulate.
She restated the UNICEF’s commitment to continuing to assist the state in this regard.
Also speaking , the Permanent Secretary, Mrs. Christiana Omolola Asonibare, appreciated the UNICEF Specialist for visiting the state and expressing readiness to assist the state government.
She also called for a strong collaboration between the organization and the state government to move the state to greater heights-Team@orientactualmags.com Do you have any information you wish to share with us? Do you want us to cover your event or programme? Kindly send SMS to 08059100286, 09094171980. Thank you
