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Stakeholders at the Dissemination of the Bauchi State Water Sector Law in Bauchi.
BAUCHI – A Technical Working committee (TWG) has been inaugurated in Bauchi State with the mandate to review the State WASH Policy in line with the Harmonized Water Law which came into effect in 2023.
The State Commissioner of Water Resources, Abdulrazak Nuhu Zaki inaugurated the committee during the Dissemination of the Bauchi State Water Sector Law, which held at the hazibal hotel Bauchi.
Represented by the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry, Samaila Tela, the Commissioner hampered on the importance of WASH services for the people of the state, stressing that clean water, adequate sanitation, and proper hygiene are fundamental to the health and prosperity of the people.
He charged the committee to critically study the provisions of the law and see how to incorporate other areas left out, adding that the WASH law would play a crucial role in addressing issues by ensuring that water and sanitation services are accessible to all citizens, regardless of their location
“This law will enhance the positive outcomes that improved WASH services in the state such as reductions in waterborne diseases such as diarrhea and cholera, improved school attendance.Children would no longer have to miss classes due to illness, and enhanced economic growth through better agricultural productivity. The WASH law would help reduce social inequalities by ensuring that everyone has access to clean water and sanitation, regardless of their socio-economic status”
“You are to carefully peruse the law as it is, find out the gaps and see how to fix the gaps to accommodate other WASH services that are not included in order to carry everyone along.”he said
In a remarks,the WaterAid Nigeria Country Director, Evelyn Mere said that the inauguration of the TWG will further enhance the need for more focus on WASH services in the state.
Represented by Head of Policy, Advocacy and Communication, Kolawole Banwo, the Country Director expressed satisfaction with the process put in place by the State Government in ensuring the effective implementation of the policy.
WaterAid commended the State Government for creating an enabling environment for the implementation of issues and policies of WASH, assuring that WaterAid Nigeria will continue to be supportive of the efforts of the government in ensuring that the policy implementation of WASH protocols succeeded in the state.
Also speaking on behalf of the CSOs in the WASH sector, Programme Manager of Society for Water and Sanitation (NEWSAN), Nichole Kankani commended WaterAid Nigeria for supporting the state in all ramifications for a seamless development of WASH protocols.
Nichole Kankani assured that the CSOs and NGOs working in the WASH Sector will continue to be active and supportive in the implementation of the WASH policies for a healthy environment.
He added that the review of the WASH policy by the TWG will be a turn around in the attainment of a healthy environment throughout the state.
Also speaking, the Programme Manager of Women Development Association for Self Sustenance (WODASS), Magaji Barde commended the support of WaterAid Nigeria to the sustainability of WASH protocols in the state.
He described the development as a welcome achievement which will further boost WASH activities in the state assuring that WODASS will continue to partner relevant agencies in promoting WASH services in the state.
