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Tag: WaterAid

  • WaterAid demands more investment in sanitation

    WaterAid demands more investment in sanitation

    A non-governmental organisation, WaterAid Nigeria has called for increased investment and a stronger policy framework to address the growing challenges climate change poses to Water, Sanitation and Hygiene (WASH) sector

    Country Director, WaterAid Nigeria Evelyn Mere made the call during the second annual climate conference held in Abuja, with the theme: “Strengthening Policies and Investment for Climate-Resilient Water, Sanitation and Hygiene (WASH) Services.”

    Mere, who was represented by the Head of Policy, Advocacy and Communications, Kolawole Banwo stated that climate change was no longer a distant threat but a reality of many communities as impacts of flooding, drought and saline intrusion on access to water, sanitation, and hygiene services as well as public health,

    The country director noted that climate change had impacted on communities in Borno, Bayelsa and Lagos states, among others in the past.

    She said the theme for the conference was apt as policies are the underpinning frameworks upon which the planning of any form of effective responses to climate change can be built.

    According to her, climate resilience in WASH is not just about building stronger infrastructure, but ensuring that services anticipate, respond to, cope with, recover from, and adapt to climate-related events, while ensuring universal and equitable access for all, including the most vulnerable, even in the face of uncertainty.

    She added that this was the global standard the organisation was striving to align with.

    Read Also: Lagos Govt urged to sustain WASH principles financed by WaterAid

    Mere said the aim of the conference was to achieve a sector-wide shared understanding of climate resilience WASH systems across the service chain, as well as develop a concrete framework for inter-agency and multi-sectoral collaboration to effectively institutionalise WASH into climate change adaptation and mitigation plans, strategies and programmes.

    The Country Director added that they also intend to open the conversation on how to unlock and access innovative funding and financing mechanisms that will ensure the actualisation of the outcome of the conference.

    Permanent Secretary, Federal Ministry of Water Resources and Sanitation, Richard Philangwa noted that Nigeria remains among the ten most climate-vulnerable countries globally, exposed to a range of environmental hazards including coastal flooding, air pollution, and desertification.

    He added that these challenges severely affect water availability, infrastructure integrity, and public health.

    He said it was crucial that Nigeria aligned its policies and investments to meet the realities of climate change as their collective action will determine the sustainability and well-being of future generations.

  • Lagos Govt urged to sustain WASH principles financed by WaterAid

    Lagos Govt urged to sustain WASH principles financed by WaterAid

    The Lagos State government has been challenged to maintain and sustain Water, Sanitation and Hygiene, (WASH), facilities provided by an NGO, WaterAid Nigeria in Ojodu and Ikorodu North LCDAs, as well as use the model as standard in government interventions for other council areas.

    WaterAid Nigeria Country Director, Ms Evelyn Mere, threw the challenge at the close-out ceremony of Integrated Hygiene and Health, I-HHP, project in Lagos in collaboration with Kimberly Clark.

    The Country Director, who was represented by WaterAid Nigeria Head of Advocacy, Policy and Communications, Mr Kolawole Banwo, emphasised that WaterAid interventions act as influencers for government to do the right thing in ensuring highest standards of hygiene and sanitation in the state in line with global best practices.

    The Project Manager, Mrs Grace Uwadiale, who noted that WaterAid Nigeria has also build capacity of relevant personnel in different agencies Ministries, urged the beneficiary LCDAs and other stakeholders’ to cascade the knowledge gained to those at the grassroots to promote the five key hygiene behaviors, which will subsequently reduce spread of infection and diseases.

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    While reeling out the success stories and challenges of the project, Mrs Uwadiale said two Primary Health Centres in Ojodu and Ikorodu North were rehabilitated to standards with solar powered borehole and 15,000 liters water tank in each LCDAs to cater for the needs of residents using the facilities, with a call on relevant authorities to replicate such projects in other locations.

    Representatives of the Lagos State Primary Health Care Board, Ministry of the Environment and Water Resources, Ojodu and Ikorodu North LCDA, who are direct beneficiaries commended WaterAid Nigeria for the numerous WASH interventions which have impacted thousands of lives positively.

    PurpleBeige reports that the highpoint of the close-out ceremony was the presentation of award plaque and certificates to the Ministry, LCDA and individuals who went extra length in actualizing some of the success stories and the I-HHP project in the last one year in Lagos.

  • Lagos, WaterAid sign contract to revive water scheme

    Lagos, WaterAid sign contract to revive water scheme

    Lagos Water Corporation (LWC) and WaterAid have signed a contract to rehabilitate the defunct Akilo Micro Waterworks scheme.

    The contract signing and awards ceremony took place at the corporation’s office in Ijora.

    The project, with Armani Beauty as one of the partners, is to provide potable water to communities in the Ifako-Ijaiye area of the state.

    Speaking at the event, LWC Managing Director, Mukhtaar Tijani, said the facility, when completed, will serve over 100,000 households in the area.

    “We acknowledge the importance of this project. There have been baseline and household studies carried out around Akilo before we arrived at the contractor that will be implementing this waterworks project, which will benefit 100,000 residents,” the corporation boss said.

    He disclosed that the project’s contractor, Rigmars Projects Limited, will move to the site as soon as part payment is made, and he added that the project will be completed within six months.

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    Also speaking at the event, Evelyn Mere, the Country Director of WaterAid Nigeria, said the possibility of bringing the project to life through the collaborative efforts WaterAid and LASWARCO was thoroughly reviewed “from the technical assessment to the finalisation of the procurement process.”

    Emphasising the importance of clean potable water, Mere said, “The huge burden of lack of access to safely managed water, sanitation, and hygiene services impacts heavily on health,” adding that “about 90% of deaths caused by diarrheal diseases are linked to unsafe water, poor sanitation, and hygiene.”

    “WaterAid is making a strategic shift to interventions that serve large groups of people. Hence, this contract signing, and awards event is enabling us to achieve this strategic objective,” she said.

    In his speech, Nwankwo Chimechefolam, the Managing Director of Rigmars Projects Limited, thanked LASWARCO and WaterAid for the opportunity to work on the project and assured them of its quality and timely delivery.

  • Nigeria lost $4.5bn to healthcare associated infections in 2022 – WaterAid

    Nigeria lost $4.5bn to healthcare associated infections in 2022 – WaterAid

    Infections caused by the lack of hand washing facilities, clean water and decent toilets cost Nigeria $4.5bn in 2022, an international non-governmental organisation, WaterAid has said.

    The organisation said this amounted to 0.94% of the country’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP) in 2022 and 3.8% of health budgets every year.

    According to the organisation, at least half of these infections could be prevented by improved water, sanitation and hygiene – saving at least 93,600 lives every year, as well as billions of dollars.

    “Infections acquired in healthcare facilities are costing Nigeria $4.5 billion each year leading to thousands of preventable deaths. At least half of these infections could be prevented by improved water, sanitation and hygiene (WASH) in these facilities,” WaterAid said.

    Read Also: Nigeria needs coordinated approach to meet 2030 target on water supply- WaterAid

    “This equates with 0.94% of Gross Domestic Product in 2022. The financial costs of providing healthcare to treat HAls is US$ 606 million in 2022, or 3.8% of total health expenditure. When comparing the medical costs per capita in Nigeria of USS 2.76 per year with the cost per capita needed to provide basic water, sanitation and hygiene (WASH), waste management and environmental cleaning in healthcare facilities in low-income countries (US$ 0.3 3 per capita for capital cost and starting at t USS 0.7 recurrent cost) it is highly likely that the spending will be more than covered by the savings in medical costs.

    “In addition to HAls, cleanliness, availability of drinking water and a clean toilet are key determinants of patient satisfaction. These aspects are particularly important to people when they are at their most vulnerable, such as during surgery, during labour and delivery and neonates in the first moment of their lives,” the organisation added.

    The Country Director, WaterAid Nigeria, Evelyn Mere said: “Healthcare workers in Nigeria are faced each day with the occupational hazard of picking up infectious diseases when they are unable to wash their hands after interacting with patients. It makes it difficult to get their work done. In various circumstances they are expected to fetch water, take care of the needs of patients which puts an additional burden on them.”

  • Oyo govt, WaterAid set to sign new MoU

    Oyo govt, WaterAid set to sign new MoU

    The Oyo state government is set to sign a new Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with WaterAid to facilitate its mission of transforming lives, improving access to potable water, sanitation, and hygiene as an essential step out of poverty.

    This was disclosed by the chairman, Oyo state water corporation, Elias Adeojo after a meeting with the representatives of WaterAid Nigeria, led by the Ag. Director of Programmes, Alao Adebayo.

    Adeojo explained that the MoU would provide a better way of managing water resources in the state.

    He also said that the laudable and purposeful development in Oyo State by the present administration cannot be quantified, saying it would continue to attract partnerships from well-meaning organisations across the globe.  

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    The chairman however regretted that almost all the schemes of the Corporation are being bedeviled by epileptic power supply, with few working at lower capacities.

    He stressed that despite the economic doldrums in the country, the State Government is leaving no stone unturned to provide potable water to residents of the state.

    Adeojo therefore enjoined the organisation to render its support to the Corporation in which capacity it deemed fit to bring back the glory of the schemes.

    In his response, WaterAid Nigeria representative, Alao Adebayo emphasised that the agency was committed to supporting the State in ensuring that residents had access to good water.

    He said the MoU is expected to improve the capacity of the Oyo State Water Corporation.

    Adebayo expressed the readiness of Water AID Africa to assist in boosting water supply to Oyo State as a whole.

  • WaterAid to upgrade water, sanitation facilities in in PHC, FCT communities

    The Country Director, WaterAid Nigeria, Evelyn Mere has said the organisation would construct, rehabilitate and upgrade gender inclusive water and sanitation facilities in a primary healthcare, school and communities in Bwari Area Council, a suburb in the Federal Capital Territory.

    She said the intervention, which would be implemented in the next 18 months, would aid increased access to WASH for more persons.

    Mere said the organisation was partnering with CUMMINS to strengthen communities and schools in Bwari through sustainable water, sanitation and hygiene access over the next 18 months.

    She spoke at the establishment/inauguration meeting of the water, sanitation and hygiene (WASH) in health sector committee in Abuja.

    She said the forum would implement the core components recommended by the World Health Organisation for effective infection prevention and control through ensuring that safe sustainable and inclusive WASH services are in place across all health programs.

    Mere said: “These interventions will accelerate improved access to safe, inclusive and sustainable WASH services to school pupils and teachers, community members, health care workers, patients and their caregivers in the PHC facilities, schools and communities.

    Read Also: WaterAid seeks more investments in women

    “All these will be achieved with strong and coordinated linkages and partnership with the relevant government agencies and local partners such as the FCT Primary Health Care Development Board, Primary Health Care Facility Management Committee, School – Based Management Committee, Education Board, FCT Rural Water Supply and Sanitation Agency (RUWASSA) Bwari Area Council, CSOs and WASH Media.”

    Acting Executive Secretary, Primary Health Care Development Board, FCT, Yakubu Mohammed commended WaterAid for supporting the FCT with wash facilities.

    He said the board has inaugurated a seven man infection prevention and control team in the six area councils for response.

    He also said the capacities of IPC members have been built across the healthcare facilities in the FCT.

  • WaterAid rolls out $250, 000 project to improve public health in Bwari

    WaterAid rolls out $250, 000 project to improve public health in Bwari

    An international non-governmental organisation, WaterAid Nigeria has rolled out a $250, 000 to provide water, sanitation, and hygiene services in the Bwari area council, Federal Capital Territory, Abuja.

    The project, which is supported by The Church of Latter-day Saint Charities (LDSC), is expected to reach over 1,500 people with basic services.

    Speaking during the launch of the project in Abuja, Country Director, WaterAid Nigeria, Evelyn Mere, said the project would be implemented within the next 12 months.

    Mere, who was represented by Kolawole Banwo, the Head of Policy, Advocacy, and Communications, stated that WaterAid intends to collaborate with the FCT Primary Healthcare Board, Bwari Area Council, and the government to achieve its goal.

    She said that the goal is to strengthen systems and create an environment that will ensure sustainability, adding that this will involve the construction, rehabilitation, and upgrade of gender-inclusive water and sanitation facilities in one Primary Healthcare Centre.

    She said: “WaterAid Nigeria with funding support of $250,000 from The Church of Latter-day Saint Charities (LDSC) is launching a project targeted at improving public health in the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja. The project will be implemented through the provision of water, sanitation, and hygiene services as well as education on infection, prevention, and control for improved health services in primary healthcare centres. The project is expected to reach over 1,500 people with these basic services.”

    “The 2021 Water, Sanitation and Hygiene National Outcome Routine Mapping Survey (WASHNORMS) reveals that only 9% of healthcare facilities in Abuja have access to water, sanitation, and hygiene services.

    “While findings from a 2022 WASH Situation Assessment in Primary Healthcare Centres (PHCs) conducted in the six area councils of the FCT by WaterAid Nigeria revealed that, more than 67% of the PHCs assessed (including Bwari area council) did not meet the WASH requirements outlined in the National Primary Health Care Development Agency’s (NPHCDA) Technical Guide for WASH services in public health facilities.

    “To improve access to WASH services, WaterAid in collaboration with the FCT Primary Healthcare Board, Bwari Area Council, and the government intends to achieve this through systems strengthening to create the enabling environment that ensures sustainability, the construction, rehabilitation, and upgrade of gender-inclusive water and sanitation facilities in one PHC.

    “We will also train facility caretakers to operate and maintain water, sanitation, waste management, and handwashing facilities and carry out hygiene promotion activities for improved hygiene behaviours to control the spread of infectious diseases.”

    Read Also: WaterAid seeks climate-resilience interventions for communities

    She added: “Healthcare workers are faced each day with the occupational hazards of picking up infectious diseases when they are unable to wash their hands after interacting with patients. This makes it difficult for them to get their work done.

    “In various circumstances, they are expected to fetch water to take care of the needs of patients putting additional burden on them.

    “Healthcare centres should be a place where clients get quality services free from the risk of contracting infectious diseases and that is why we have collaborated with the church to reach everyone everywhere with clean water, decent toilets, and good hygiene.”

  • WaterAid seeks climate-resilience interventions for communities

    WaterAid seeks climate-resilience interventions for communities

    A non-governmental organisation, WaterAid Nigeria has admonished the Federal, State and Local Governments to provide interventions to help communities mitigate the impact of climate change on water supply in the country.

    The organisation said adaptation strategies must be prioritised by all levels of government.

    Chief Executive Officer, WaterAid, Tim Wainwright said it was time to shift attention to those most affected by climate change.

    He said: “We are seeing the impact of climate change and the impact of climate change on the human race is principally through water, either too much or too little, so we see droughts. We see flooding; we see sea level rise; we see the groundwater levels dropping to dangerously low levels; so, it is a huge issue. It is a big risk; and it is getting bigger all the time with climate change.

    “The impact is getting stronger and it is hitting the parts of the world– the countries in the world that did the least to cause climate change.

    Read Also: WaterAid, experts proffer solution to Lagos water challenges

    “So, we see that it is fundamental to do more work on adapting to climate change, building the resilience of communities; nobody can be resilient to climate change if they do not have access to water.”

    The WaterAid chief said Nigeria must do more to strengthen its sanitation systems as flood occurrences could cause huge risks if there were poor sanitation systems.

    He said to tackle the challenges posed by climate change, it was crucial to ensure access to water for all.

    Wainwright said resilience in the face of climate change hinged on the ability to secure the fundamental resource, adding that with the rise in urbanised communities, demand for clean water and efficient sanitation systems was growing.

    The Country Director, WaterAid Nigeria, Evelyn Mere expressed enthusiasm for the visit, emphasising the opportunity it presented to advance the advocacy for safe, inclusive, and sustainable WASH access in Nigeria.

    ter, but also threatening industrial and commercial water usage vital to businesses, productivity, and livelihoods.

    She said: “WaterAid’s visit to Nigeria is not just a working visit; it is a testament to the organisation’s unwavering commitment to securing a more resilient and water-secure future, both in Nigeria and beyond.

    “As the world grapples with the challenges of climate change, initiatives like this bring hope and promise to vulnerable communities striving to withstand the impacts of a changing world.”

  • Guinness commissions water facility in Kebbi community

    Guinness Nigeria Plc, a subsidiary of Diageo, has partnered with WaterAid to provide a solar- powered water facility in the D’ka community of Wasagu LGA, Kebbi State.

    The gesture was part of its ‘Water of Life’ project with the ultimate goal of ensuring sustainable access to water.

    Guinness Nigeria and WaterAid Nigeria have collaborated with Kebbi State Government through the Rural Water Supply and Sanitation Agency (RUWASSA) to provide inclusive access to clean water to an estimated 2,500 people in D’ka village.

     Speaking on the project, Division North Guinness Nigeria Plc  Penni Vika,  who was represented by Sokoto/Kebbi territory manager Demmo Ibrahim, said: ‘’ The project is part of our ongoing commitment to the communities and in contribution to the achievement of the UN Sustainable Development Goal(SDG) which focuses on clean water and sanitation.

    “Guinness commitment is driving interventions that help more Nigerians access clean drinking water. We believe that water is a basic human right and our commitment remains unwavering in ensuring that people in underserved communities continue to have access to clean water.”

    Guinness Nigeria has established several water schemes under the Diageo Africa Water of Life programme, a project that provides access to clean drinking water and socio-economic development, he added.

    Executive Chairman, Danko Wasagu LGA Kebbi State, Suleiman Shindi, commended Guinness Nigeria for provision of clean water in D’Ka Community.

    He said: “We say a big thank you to Guinness Nigeria and all the organisations that have come together to put together this water project for the progress of the community’’.

    He alsoed thank the Kebbi state government for supporting this project.

    READ ALSO: Guinness lifts economy with projects, campaigns

    He assured that his office will continue to ensure maintenance of the water project.

     Country Director WaterAid Nigeria, Dr Chichi Aniagolu-Okoye, who was represented by the coordinator Strategic Partnership and Grant Management, Gerald Ogoko, appreciated the continuous support of its partner Diageo Plc.

    According to him: “Diageo Plc through the ‘Water of Life’ project continues to extend sustainable water services to hard to reach communities and marginalised members of the society.

    Photo Caption 2: L-R; Gerald Ogoko; Co-ordinator Strategic Partnership and Grant Management WaterAid, Adamu Shehu; Assistant Director Ministry of Water Resources and Rural Development Kebbi, Demmo Ibrahim; Territory Manager Sokoto/Kebbi Guinness Nigeria and Suleiman Shindi; Executive Chairman, Danko Wasagu LGA, Kebbi State during the commissioning of the Solar Powered water facility in D’Ka Community, Danko Wasagu area of Kebbi State donated by Guinness Nigeria in partnership with WaterAid as part of its ‘Water of Life’ project.

    “At WaterAid, equity and inclusion are fundamental guiding principles in our effort to deliver clean water, decent toilets and good hygiene.

    “We are therefore excited at the opportunity to be part of the commissioning of this water facility provided to the people of D’Ka community with support from Diageo Plc.”

    Members of the D’Ka community also expressed gratitude to Guinness Nigeria and WaterAid for providing them with the water facility.

    They said it will reduce their burden and improve their means of livelihood.

  • WaterAid commits N52m to water project in Bauchi

    WaterAid Nigeria, in partnership with the Bauchi State Rural Water Supply Agency (RUWASA), said yesterday that it would spend about N52 million Naira on provision of potable to 15 communities in Kirfi Local Government Area of the state.

    Water Sanitation and Hygiene (WASH) Specialist Mr Tanko Reubeno, gave the figure at the commencement of drilling of boreholes at Kafin-Turaki Village in Kirfi  Local Government Area of Bauchi.

    He said the water projects,  to be cited in Kafin-Iya and Dewu Districts of the Local Government area, would comprise of five solar-powered water supply schemes, five hand pump boreholes, and rehabilitation of five other projects that would be converted to solar schemes.

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    “Under the first phase, WaterAid, with the support of RUWASA, will construct hand pump-fitted boreholes at Kafin-Turaki, Gula, Wuro-Dishi, Wuro-Male and Gadagassol.