ODF: FCT RUWASSA, STAKEHOLDERS STRATEGISE ON OPEN DEFECATION
By: Adama Aminu and Suzanne George
In a bid to end open defecation in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) area councils by the end of this year, the FCT Rural Water Supply and Sanitation Directorate (RUWASSA) in collaboration with Water Aid Nigeria recently held a one-day workshop on Dissemination of Water Sanitation and Hygiene (WASH) BaseLine Survey Report.
The survey is aimed at understanding the condition, identifying service delivery gaps, and documenting the findings to guide policy formulation, evidence-based planning, and design interventions to improve WASH services in the FCT, in order to achieve the global target.
Speaking during the workshop, the Overseeing Director of FCT RUWASSA, Luke Ulom, said that the data gathered and collated will help the FCT Administration, through FCT RUWASSA, to understand the challenges and fill the gaps.
He appreciated the development partners such as WaterAid, United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF), area councils, and other partners for their support in achieving an Open Defecation Free (ODF) FCT.
He said that efforts made by partners in Bwari and Kwali Area Councils are replicated in other area councils of the FCT.
Accordingly, he promised that the FCT Administration would strengthen the partnerships and enhance capacity building, and ensure accountability in WASH service delivery.
In his remarks, the Head of Programme, Water Aid Nigeria, Nanpet Chuktu, said that WaterAid is working with RUWASSA and area councils through the key institutions, and engaging with communities to increase people’s knowledge to have safe water, adequate sanitation, and good hygiene practices.
He said that WaterAid has been working with FCT for years.
“We are supporting RUWASSA, Bwari, as well as Gwagwalada Area Councils, to improve access to water supply, sanitation, and hygiene.”
He said that WaterAid supports area councils within the FCT to raise the bar, increase knowledge, and promote safe water and hygiene practices.
The Agura of Zuba, Muhammed Bello Umar, who the Magajin Garin Zuba represented, called for the support of communities with functional toilets and the need to educate them on how to use them, hoping it will help in achieving ODF in area councils.
A report from UNICEF disclosed that out of 774 local government areas in the country, only 148 are ODF, and the FCT is unfortunately not included.
Also, a 2021 UNICEF report on WASH states that approximately 48 million Nigerians continue to engage in open defecation, with only 8% of the population following proper hand-washing practice.
The BaseLine Survey was conducted to assess the status of WASH services in communities, schools, healthcare facilities, and public places.
Participants were drawn from various government agencies, development partners, NGOs, area councils, WASH units, Civil Society Organisations, traditional rulers, and FCT RUWASSA Staff.
