Enugu – The Enugu State Commissioner for Water Resources, Dr Felix Nnamani has stated that the state was on course to become Open Defecation Free(ODF) by 2024, having had all the 17 Local Government Areas pass ODF Byelaws.
Nnamani made the assertion on Thursday during his opening remarks at the state’s 2024 WASH (Water Sanitation and Hygiene) coordination meeting held at the Ministry’s conference room.
He then enumerated some of the achievements of his ministry within seven months of the Peter Mbah administration.
“Some of achievements of the Dr Peter Mbah administration in the WASH sector include; Passage and signing of ODF byelaws by the 17 LGA chairmen, launch and dissemination of the water and sanitation sector law and production of 120,000 cubic meter of water from the 9th mile crash program and the Oji Augmentation Scheme”
He went further to announce that Governor Peter Mbah appointed an SSA on WASH, Chika Mbah, the first of it’s kind, underscoring the great emphasis his administration placed on that (WASH) sector.
The commissioner noted that, from his findings, almost all the CSO stakeholders are doing their own thing without a proper coordination platform. He stated that the governor recently engaged a consortium to carryout the WASH baseline study which will be shared with the attendees and that Government wants to work with CSOs to provide direction so as to ensure equitable siting of projects.
His speech was followed by a brief presentation of the state’s WASH plan by Mr C.N. Ogbu, General Manager, Enugu State Small Town Water Agency (ENSTOWA)
He stated that the ESTOWA budget for 2024 is N296million. He said the agency intended to do some hand pump boreholes at Nkanu East,Awgu,Aninri and Isiuzo Local Government Areas as well rehabilitation of motorized boreholes at Igbo-Eze South, Igbo-Eze North,Nsukka, Udenu and Udi Local Government Areas. He stated that external suppout for the agency would be from Water Aid and Latter Day Saints charities, which includes motorized borehole at Mboshi Aji,Enugu Ezike and 2 blocks of four rooms toilets at Ogrute,Enugu Ezike, all in Igbo-Eze North Local Government Area.
In his own speech, the Special Adviser to the Enugu State Governor on Donor Relations, Hon Dubem Onyia, Jr, commended the Commissioner for convening the meeting, which he noted wss important to ensure proper coordination and synergy among stakeholders in the state’s WASH sector.
Equally, he reminded attendees of the existence of a Donor committee chaired by the SSG, and the need for NEWSAN to be part of that committee. He stated that the Government had resolved to have toiletd in all public places in the state such as schools, markets, etc.
In his own submission, Solomon Akpanufot, Water Aid state program lead solicited for the creation of a secretariat where work plans will be submitted. According to him, they intend to continue to suppout a functional stakeholders coordination meeting for CSOs and MDAs. Wateraid also intends to support the state in the observance of 2024 World Water Day in March. They will also carryout assessment on 70 hand washing facilities scattered all over Enugu State.
Akpanufot noted that Water aid will share the report of the Reconnaissance survey on WASH carried out recently in the state. Wateraid will also construct a boreholes at Mboshi Aji community In Igbo-Eze North LGA, construct 2 blocks of 4 rooms public toilet at old Eke Ozzi, Ogrute, both in Igbo-Eze North LGA.
Finally, he said Water Aid would embark on training of toilet management committee for some public toilets in Enugu State, completion of the water policy and operationalization of the Monitoring & Evaluation (M&E) framework.
Representatives of civil society organizations present then gave brief reports on their plans for the year as follows;
1.Global Health Awareness Research Foundation (GHARF): The Executive Director, Prof Obioma Nwaorgu,FNAS, stated that GHARF is part of the ODF program in Igbo-Etiti LGA under NEWSAN. GHARF was also part of a baseline survey on menstrual hygiene carried out in Uzo-Uwani LGA, will be part of the celebration of global days in the WASH calendar and as will continue to work with NEWSAN in any project that comes forward as they continue to write proposal for donor suppout.
2.Youth Child Support Initiative (YCSI): The Executive Director, Felicia Nwobodo stated that they are involved in the Orphan & Vulnerable Children’s (OVC) project where they train children on hygiene.
3.Women Support Women Network (WOSCONET): The WASH Program Officer, Mrs Azuka Nwofor stated that presently, they do not have funding but mainstream WASH in everything they do. She frowned at the hygiene situation of some schools expecially in some schools were pupils and students are made to provide toiletries that they do not use.
4.Divine Era Development And Social Right Organization (DEDASRI): The Executive Director, Ogechukwu Enwelum, Esq., reported that they carryout menstrual hygiene promotion in schools, are partaking in the Igbo-Etiti LGA ODF campaign and are carrying out hygiene promotion in markets and health centers.
5.Twinning for Health Support Initiative: Mrs Lovelin Ugwunbadi, the M&E Officer stated that they are presently involved in the OVC project in Enugu North and Enugu South Local Government Areas under Caritas, Enugu. According to her, they equally conduct WASH messaging during their monthly service provision and community forum. Their other activities include menstrual hygiene sensitization/ distribution of sanitary pad. WASH sensitizations in slums like Ngenevu, Iva Pottery, Bunker, etc and advocacy visits to landlords and MDAs.
6. Centre for the Advancement of Literacy & Leadership (CALL): The Executive Director, Mazi Ikechukwu Bismarck Oji, MNSE, COREN, stated that their program for 2024 include carrying out a survey on alternative sources of water in rural areas so as to actualize the ODF Project and advocacy visits to stakeholders of LGAs and communities, so as to get their buy in into the ODF campaign.
7.South Saharan Social Development Organization (SSDO): Stanley ilechukwu, Executive Director, SSDO reported that they are basically involved in (3)three areas which includes : (i) Policy Development (ii) Service Delivery (iii) Capacity Development in WASH. SSDO also works in partnership with Wateraid and Latter Day Saints charity in providing WASH services to Enugu people and they also support hygiene promotion.
8.Ihuoma Girls Support Initiative: The Executive Director, Amb. Amarachi Okafor stated that intend observing the International Menstrual Hygiene Day by sensitizing girls at Ugbo Odogwu and Ikirike. They shall also carry out hygiene promotion and advocacy to community stakeholders.
9.Global Society for Anti Corruption (GSAC): Mrs Ezeaku Patience stated that they would carry out WASH sensitization and advocacy visits to primary and secondary schools. She frowned at the condition of toilets in some schools expecially at Trans Ekulu Girls Secondary School where two parents complained of their wards contracting toilet infection from the school toilet.
10.Network of WASH Right Initiative (NEWARI): The Coordinator, Amb. Amaka Nweke reported that they implement WASH in Enugu State through Advocacy, Sensitisation and Engagement of policy makers.
According to her, their 2024 work plan includes: (i)Establishment of Enugu State Parliamentary WASH Caucus in partnership with Global Parliamentary WASH Caucus (ii) Claim Your Water Rights Campaign in partnership with End Water Poverty, UK (iii) Setting up of WASH Clubs in schools (iv)WASH in health facilities
11.Network on Water And Sanitation (NEWSAN): According to the State coordinator, Ogechukwu Enwelum, Esq., NEWSAN is a network of 18 member organization with the mandate of CSOs in WASH coordination and engagement of all relevant stakeholders. She esplained that NEWSAN is planning a larger stakeholder coordination meeting in partnership with UNICEF that will involve CSOs,MDAs and development partners.NEWSAN is also planning a capacity building workshop for members to be sponsored by the Learning Hub. They will also undertake training programs in M&E.
While bringing the interactive session to an end, the commissioner appreciated Wateraid for supporting the event. He promised to address the complaints raised regarding WASH in slums around Enugu such as Ikirike, Ngenevu, Bunker and Ugbo Odogwu .He then announced the setting up a WASH Coordination secretariat in the office of the SSA(WASH) while assuring attendees of the ministry’s resolve to end open defecation in schools. Finally, he announced that the state design for public toilet was out.
