The Enugu State Programme lead, Terkimbi Tom has given assurances that WaterAid Nigeria organization will continue to complement the state government’s effort in provision of water supplies in the state.
Terkimbi gave this assurance on Wednesday when members of Water, Sanitation and Hygiene, WASH media network paid him a courtesy visit in Enugu, Enugu State.
The State Programme Lead stated that WaterAid as an international non-governmental organization (NGO), focuses on water, sanitation and hygiene and Nigeria is one of the 34 countries they operate in.
Nigeria, like many other African countries, is home to the world’s youngest population. The latest United Nations data estimates Nigeria population to reach 206 million by 2020, with a median age of 18.1 yrs. This unique characteristic makes its young population a double-edged sword – a thriving economy is predicated on young burgeoning population, but without clean water, education and jobs, it inevitably leads to instability. Across the African continent, nations like Nigeria face huge challenges with multiple issues that adversely affect public health.
One major challenge is the ability for both rural and urban Africans to access a clean water supply. In 2006, according to the WHO, “only 59% of the world’s population had access to adequate sanitation systems, and efforts to achieve the Millennium Development Goal, which is aiming for 75% by the year 2015, has fall short by nearly half a billion people.”
WaterAid is one of the international organizations addressing some of the health issues. Established in 1981, WaterAid’s global mission is “to make clean water, reliable toilets and good hygiene normal for everyone, everywhere within a generation.” According to their website, the focus is clean water, decent toilets and good hygiene –”We work with local partners to deliver clean water and decent toilets, and promote good hygiene, and campaign to change normal for everyone, everywhere.”
In the last ten years, the NGO has partnered with the Enugu State Government in the provision of clean water, maintenance of good sanitation and hygiene.
Out of the seventeen Local Government Areas (LGA) in Enugu state, Terkimbi further explained that the organization currently functions only in seven; Enugu-North, Enugu-South, Enugu-East, Nsukka, Uzo-Uwani, Isi-Uzo and Ezeagu. In Nsukka LGA, they are currently executing a motorized borehole at Umabor Community among other projects.
The organization also have introduced affordable Water Easy Toilet as a way of improving sanitation in the state and urged the general public to key into the project in order to enhance quality life.
The officer in charge of Programme Monitoring, Evaluation and Report, Eta Eteta commended the media network for the visit. He also emphasized that the visit was timely as it coincides with the organization’s ‘vote for water campaign’ in the state.
Earlier in her address, the State coordinator of WASH media network, Elizabeth Achuagu, solicited for periodic capacity building training for the members which she noted will sharpen their skill in report writing and coverage of the organization’s activities. She also affirmed the network’s commitment towards effective coverage of their activities.
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