FCT RUWASSA, STAKEHOLDERS CONTINUE ODF CERTIFICATION AND WASH PROJECT INSPECTION IN KWALI
By: Adama Aminu and Suzanne Ejewofu George
The FCT Rural Water Supply and Sanitation Directorate ( RUWASSA), in collaboration with UNICEF, China-Exim Bank, Kwali Area Council and other stakeholders, have continued the Open Defecation Free (ODF) certification exercise and inspection of Water, Sanitation and Hygiene (WASH) projects across communities in Kwali Area Council of the Federal Capital Territory.
The exercise aimed to assess sanitation and hygiene conditions in communities, verify progress toward attaining open defecation-free (ODF) status, and inspect WASH facilities and projects implemented to improve access to safe water, sanitation, and hygiene services.
The stakeholder team comprised the Director, FCT RUWASSA, Dr. (Mrs.) Joyce Chinyere Echoke, who was represented by the Deputy Director, Department of Water Quality, Monitoring and Analysis, Mr. Danladi Katampe; UNICEF WASH Specialist, Chisom Adimorah; UNICEF Team Lead, Mrs. Aisha Bakpet(FCT RUWASSA); Kwali Area Council WASH Coordinator, Mrs. Amina Dada; and the site engineer, Engr. Maikaho Ayuba of SANTALI Technology Solutions Ltd.
Speaking during the exercise, the Director, FCT RUWASSA, said the exercise was in fulfilment of the national protocol for ending open defecation across the states and the Federal Capital Territory, in line with Executive Order 009 of 2019.
She stressed the need for closer collaboration among stakeholders to achieve the goal of ending open defecation, noting that the certification exercise covers 67 communities across the ten wards of Kwali Area Council.
According to her, the exercise, supported by the United Nations Children’s Emergency Fund (UNICEF), is part of ongoing efforts to achieve Nigeria’s 2030 target of ending open defecation.
The team visited Dangara, Gangare and Koroko communities in Kwali Area Council as part of the certification and WASH project inspection exercise.
During the exercise, the stakeholders assessed sanitation practices, the availability and use of toilet facilities, hygiene conditions and other key indicators required for ODF certification.
They also inspected WASH facilities and projects to ascertain their functionality, standard and impact on the beneficiary communities.
The certification exercise includes the inspection of WASH facilities in households, schools, markets and health care centres across Kwali Area Council.
The exercise forms part of the continued efforts of FCT RUWASSA and its partners to strengthen sanitation and hygiene practices, improve access to WASH services and support communities in achieving and sustaining Open Defecation Free status.
