NEWS AGENCY OF NIGERIA
Environment

WaterAid unveils sanitation, hygiene project in 4 Bauchi LGs

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By Tosin Kolade

WaterAid Nigeria on Tuesday inaugurated the ‘Accelerating Inclusive Sanitation and Hygiene Economy in Nigeria’ project to improve sanitation and enhance cholera interventions in four Bauchi local governments.

The 30-month project aims to benefit 900,000 people across Bauchi, Tafawa-Balewa, Misau, and Jama’are LGAs.

Ms Evelyn Mere, Country Director of WaterAid Nigeria, at the formal launch said the project adopts a multifaceted approach through infrastructure development, economic empowerment, and innovation.

Mere noted huge gaps in access to basic sanitation and hygiene in Bauchi from available statistics.

“While 60 per cent of the population has access to basic sanitation, only 19 per cent have access to hygiene facilities.

“Nevertheless, progress has been made, with nine LGAs in the state certified as Open Defecation Free.

“Our ultimate goal is to transform lives and foster sustainable development in Bauchi State,” she added.

She explained that one of the key objectives of the initiative is to improve infrastructure by constructing safe water and sanitation facilities, particularly in cholera-prone areas.

The initiative, she said, also focuses on economic empowerment by creating opportunities for women and youth within the WASH sector.

According to Mere, the project is spearheaded by the Federal Ministry of Water Resources and Sanitation through an inter-ministerial committee, in collaboration with the Bauchi state government.

She expressed gratitude to the state, federal ministries, the Sanitation and Hygiene Fund (SHF), and other stakeholders for their support in advancing this crucial intervention.

Aline Pawele, Country Fund Portfolio Manager for the United Nations SHF, called for increased collective action and investment in sanitation, hygiene, and menstrual health.

Pawele emphasised the need to address gaps in these essential services and urged stakeholders to make meaningful contributions to this cause.

She also urged governments to increase public investments in sanitation and hygiene, prioritising access and services for underserved communities.

Pawele advocated for innovative financial models and technologies to unlock the untapped economic potential of the sanitation sector.

She encouraged development partners to align their strategies with government priorities and support both technical and financial objectives.

“The sanitation and hygiene sector is an emerging market with vast business opportunities.

“Entrepreneurs should be encouraged to explore its economic potential, particularly in hygiene products and waste management services”.

Pawele stressed that building a sustainable sanitation and hygiene market required collaboration across all sectors.

Awa Diagne, the World Bank Representative, highlighted the importance of urgency, innovation, data, and collaboration in addressing sanitation challenges.

She called for immediate and coordinated action to tackle Nigeria’s sanitation and hygiene issues.

“Nigeria’s alarming sanitation and hygiene statistics, combined with frequent cholera outbreaks, demand urgent intervention.

“Delaying action puts more lives at risk and exacerbates public health challenges.

“We must move away from ‘business as usual,’ as traditional methods have failed to deliver adequate results”.

The Minister of Water Resources and Sanitation, Prof. Joseph Utsev, emphasised the importance of collaboration, investment, and sustainable solutions.

Represented by the ministry’s Permanent Secretary, Mr Richard Pheelangwah, he noted that many communities still face significant barriers to accessing essential WASH services.

He highlighted the ministry’s numerous efforts and initiatives to reverse this trend which demonstrate a strong commitment to providing sustainable and inclusive WASH services.

“This project symbolises hope for underserved communities, aiming to address these gaps with impactful solutions,” he stated.

Goodwill messages were delivered by representatives of the Bauchi State Government, the Ministry of Health, and other partners.

A key highlight of the event was the formal inauguration of the Project Oversight Committee, comprising members from relevant ministries, to ensure effective implementation and sustainability. (NAN) (www.nannews.ng)

Edited by Abiemwense Moru

Environment

Shettima urges governors to end open defecation

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By Salisu Sani-Idris

Vice-President Kashim Shettima, has urged governors of the 36 states of the federation to double efforts to end open defecation in the next five years.

Shettima made the call on Tuesday during the 5th anniversary of the “Clean Nigeria: Use the Toilet” campaign and the launch of the Revised Strategic Plan at the Banquet Hall of the Presidential Villa, Abuja.

Represented by the Deputy Chief of Staff to the President, Sen. Ibrahim Hadejia, Shettima urged state governments to be deliberate in mobilising high-level political support to drive the campaign, especially at the sub-national level”.

He noted that sanitation sector in Nigeria has great economic opportunities for growth.

According to him, aligning these opportunities with the renewed hope agenda of President Bola Tinubu’s administration could create jobs, provide alternative energy sources, and produce biological fertilisers.

“It is against this background that the need to re-strategise the critical elements that will progressively increase our level of advocacy and awareness came to be.

“The new Strategic Plan for the Clean Nigeria Campaign is a comprehensive, actionable framework for Clean Nigeria that will help to actualise the call for reasonable access to use a toilet by the year 2030.

“I, therefore, urge State Governors to provide the necessary support to drive the campaign at the State and Local Government Areas levels to achieve our target of an Open Defecation Free Nigeria within the next five years”.

Shettima cautioned against the hazards of open defecation, saying it is “a critical public health and environmental issue that compromises our water sources.

He added that it also spreads disease, and negatively impacts the quality of life, education, and economic productivity of the populace.

He said inadequate sanitation facilities to address open defecation pose a great risk, especially to women, girls and vulnerable communities.

The Vice-President, therefore, assured that the Tinubu administration was committed to the bid to end open defecation in Nigeria.

“The present administration is committed to the call for Open Defecation Free in Nigeria, as part of measures to meet the Sustainable Development Goal 6.2 target aimed at contributing to building a healthy and thriving nation.

“We are all aware that the Federal Government through the Federal Ministry of Water Resources and Sanitation rolled out several initiatives to bridge the existing gap of inadequate basic sanitation services,” he stated.

Shettima applauded the support of stakeholders, especially governors, local government Chairmen, national and state legislators, members of the international community, development partners, the private sector, civil societies, and the media.

Earlier, the Minister of Water Resources and Sanitation, Prof. Joseph Utsev, said the 5th anniversary of the Campaign aligned with the World Toilet Day.

According to him, the day is set aside by the UN to accelerate the drive towards Open Defecation Free in countries around the world.

He recalled that the “Clean Nigeria: Use the Toilet” campaign was launched in 2019 under the national programme to end open defecation in Nigeria and is backed by Presidential Executive Order 009.

Utsev explained that the campaign was informed by the unfortunate position of Nigeria as one of the countries with the highest number of people practicing open defecation, estimated at 48 million persons.

“It is a transformative movement to end open defecation in Nigeria and since its commencement, appreciable progress has been made over the past few years, with 135 LGAs having attended an Open Defecation Free status.

“More State Governments and Local Government Areas are currently undergoing a verification process in line with the National Protocol on Open Defecation Free, and over 30,000 other communities were certified as ODF.

“Despite all these attainments, the progress rate appears grossly inadequate compared to the Campaign target date of 2025, which expects nationwide advocacy”.

The Chairman, the Senate Committee on Water Resources, Sen. Eze Emeka, thanked the federal government for coming up with the campaign of clean water and ending open defecation.

He commended the government through the Ministry of Water Resources and Sanitation for coming up with the initiative of sustaining the campaign and setting the target to end the menace in 2030. (NAN) www.nannews.ng

Edited by Tosin Kolade

Environment

World Toilet Day: NNPC Foundation advocates better sanitation policies, infrastructure

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By Emmanuella Anokam

The NNPC Foundation Limited has reiterated its commitment to promote global awareness and advocacy for better policies to mitigate sanitation crisis.

Mrs Emmanuella Arukwe, Managing Director NNPC Foundation Ltd., made this known on Tuesday while commemorating the 2024 World Toilet Day (WTD) at the Junior Secondary School, Peyi, Bwari Area Council, Abuja.

Arukwe underscored the need to invest in sanitation infrastructure to ensure cleaner water, healthier communities and sustainable ecosystems.

“NNPC Foundation is deeply committed to contributing to this global effort,” she said.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that World Toilet Day is celebrated annually on Nov. 19, to raise awareness on the lack of access to safe toilets and sanitation for billions of people worldwide.

The campaign inspires action to tackle the global sanitation crisis and achieve Sustainable Development Goal (SDG)-6, “Water and Sanitation for all by 2030”.

This year’s campaign with the theme “Toilet, a Place for Peace”, emphasises the role of safe toilets as a space for protection and progress.

Worldwide, 4.2 billion people live without safely managed sanitation and around 673 million people practise open defecation.

Arukwe, represented by Dr David Bala, Executive Director, Programme Development, NNPC Foundation Ltd., said by aligning its actions with SDG-6, it would ensure that it created a world where no one would be left behind.

“Our initiative focuses on raising awareness, advocating for better sanitation policies and supporting installation of clean and safe toilets in underprivileged areas.

“Today, 3.5 billion people lack access to safely managed sanitation, a statistics that highlights the scale of the global sanitation crisis (UN-Water, 2024).

“According to UNICEF, approximately 48 million Nigerians practise open defecation and only 10 per cent of the population have access to combined basic water, sanitation and hygiene services.

“This lack of access contributes significantly to the spread of diseases such as diarrhoea which claims the lives of over 70,000 Nigerian children under the age of five annually,” she said.

Arukwe added that sanitation was a pressing concern in the country, and that the absence of proper sanitation facilities continued to disproportionately affect women and girls.

This, she said, put them at risk of harassment and violence in public spaces.

She explained that inadequate sanitation could lead to learning disruptions at school for many girls, as they were often forced to stay home during menstruation due to the absence of hygienic facilities in schools.

“According to a report by UNICEF in 2023, improving sanitation access could boost attendance rates for adolescent girls by 11 per cent in low-income countries.

“Statistics from the World Health Organisation in 2023 says that 80 per cent of the wastewater from human activities flows back into the ecosystem untreated, thereby causing widespread environmental harm.

“As students and future leaders, your role in this movement is to share the knowledge you gain here today with your families and communities.

“Advocate for improved sanitation in your schools and public spaces and be part of the conversations that normalise discussions about toilets and hygiene, which aims to break down taboos and drive meaningful change.

“Remember, every small action counts. Let us work together to flush away the global sanitation crisis,” Arukwe added.

Earlier, the school Principal, Mr Bako Kumbam, commended the foundation for the programme, noting that it would sustain the campaign and promote understanding of the role of sanitation in disease prevention and health improvement.

Speaking on the programme, Miss Cynthia Otanwo, Head Girl of the school, while expressing satisfaction with the programme, thanked the NNPC Foundation for the enlightenment and exposure to sanitary etiquettes on toilet usage.

Master Moses Ifeanyichukwu, Head Boy of the school, said that ‘cleanliness is next to godliness’.

He urged the Federal Government to build more public toilets to prevent open defecation to avert diseases. (NAN)

Edited by Emmanuel Afonne

Environment

Zulum pledges to end open defecation in Borno

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By Hamza Suleiman

Gov. Babagana Zulum of Borno has reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to eliminating open defecation practices across the state.

Zulum made the pledge during the inauguration of the state’s roadmap to eliminate open defecation in Maiduguri on Tuesday.

The campaign, aligned with SDG six to ensure water and sanitation for all by 2030, aims to mobilise communities to end open defecation.

Represented by Deputy Governor Dr Usman Kadafur, the governor stated the role sanitation plays in health, education, economic growth, and community wellbeing.

He acknowledged the state’s challenges, including fiscal constraints, but underscored his administration’s commitment to improving Water, Sanitation, and Hygiene (WASH) services.

He stated, “Poor hygiene, open defecation, and lack of access to safe water compromise the dignity and health of our people, contributing to child mortality, undernutrition, and educational barriers for girls”.

He also stressed the importance of clean public toilets in markets, motor parks, and other public places, ensuring Borno meets global sanitation targets.

The governor presented a detailed action plan to achieve these goals, including expanding access to safe water within 30 metres of every household using durable, community-managed systems.

He directed state officials to work with the private sector to develop affordable toilets and introduce interest-free sanitation credits for households and toilet businesses.

He called for public-private partnerships to sustain WASH access in schools, health centres, and public places, and urged the Ministry of Information to collaborate with the First Lady’s office and media outlets.

This, he said is to mobilise communities and promote sanitation and hygiene practices.

The governor appealed to all stakeholders, including traditional leaders, community members, and the private sector, to support the campaign and help make Borno an open defecation-free state.

“A clean Borno State means a prosperous people. Together, we can leave a legacy of dignity and health for future generations,” he said.

Cristian Munduate, UNICEF’s Representative in Nigeria, reiterated the agency’s commitment to supporting the Borno government in eradicating open defecation and improving access to WASH facilities.

Represented by Phuong Nguyen, UNICEF’s Chief of Borno Field Office, she revealed the wide-ranging impacts of open defecation on public health, education, and economic productivity, particularly for children.

She noted that while providing toilets and water infrastructure is vital, fostering behavioral change is equally important.

“It’s not enough to have toilets or water; people must understand their significance.

“Open defecation and poor hygiene lead to severe health issues like diarrhea and malnutrition, which stunt children’s growth and hinder their learning,” she said.

She further noted that open defecation disproportionately affects girls, as inadequate sanitation facilities often prevent them from attending school during their menstrual periods.

“Adults are also impacted, with illnesses like diarrhea leading to absenteeism from work and reduced productivity”.

Munduate stressed the importance of government leadership in this journey, stating, “Each success story in eradicating open defecation begins at the top.

“Borno State has demonstrated this leadership, and we believe that by this time next year, most areas of Borno, if not the entire state, will be free from open defecation.

“UNICEF also calls on traditional leaders, estate owners, and communities to play their part in driving the necessary behavioral changes”.

Mr Ajose Adeyemi, Deputy Director of Rural Sanitation, Federal Ministry of Water Resources and Sanitation, congratulated the state for achieving Open Defecation Free (ODF) status in Biu and Shani local governments.

He reaffirmed the federal government’s commitment to supporting the state’s continued efforts and presented the ODF Certificate, Flag, and Plaque to the Deputy Governor.

Earlier, Mr Abu Godwin, a representative of the Clean Nigeria Campaign Secretariat, outlined the strategic objectives and key expectations of the secretariat for the state.

He highlighted goals such as mobilising support at the political, private sector, and development partner levels, and creating a pool of resource persons to support local actors.

Godwin also called for engaging society in adopting safe sanitation practices through behavior change and establishing mechanisms to track progress and share lessons learned.

In his remarks, Sule Ali, Chairman of Biu Local Government Area, praised the National Task Group on Sanitation for recognising Biu as open defecation free.

Ali noted that this achievement would not have been possible without the support of Gov. Babagana Zulum, who had directed the LGA to undertake a sensitisation campaign showing the devastating effects of open defecation.

“By God’s grace, we have succeeded, and today our Local Government is open defecation free,” he said. (NAN) www.nannews.ng 

Edited by Tosin Kolade

Environment

WaterAid, CSOs move to prioritise WASH budgets

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By Tosin Kolade

WaterAid Nigeria, in partnership with civil society organisations (CSOs) on Monday commenced a training programme to prioritise financing for the underfunded Water, Sanitation, and Hygiene (WASH) sector.

Theodora Igboaruka, Policy and Advocacy Manager, WaterAid Nigeria, emphasised the role of sanitation and hygiene in national development at a two-day training on WASH Budget Analysis, Tools, and Skills in Abuja.

According to her, these areas have been greatly neglected in spite of their interconnectedness with other Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

“The initiative aims to bridge critical funding gaps and ensure progress toward achieving the SDGs, particularly SDG six, which focuses on universal access to water and sanitation,” she said.

She said the ultimate objective was to create evidence-based tools for advocacy.

Igboaruka explained that the training is designed to equip CSOs with skills to analyse budget trends, assess the share of sanitation and hygiene in national budgets, and identify investment gaps.

“This data will form the foundation for advocacy, providing evidence to engage decision-makers and stakeholders in prioritising sanitation and hygiene financing.

“Collaboration, synergy, and amplified advocacy efforts are crucial to ensure these issues are no longer overlooked but are recognised as essential for national development and global commitments”.

Earlier, Mr Benson Attah, National Coordinator, Society for Water and Sanitation (NEWSAN), revealed challenges associated with budget transparency and stakeholder engagement.

He noted that while budgeting was essential for planning and resource allocation, it often faced resistance, particularly from civil servants.

“There is a perception of scrutiny and exposure during budget discussions, which leads to apprehension and sometimes resistance,” Attah said.

He recounted an instance where an officer assigned to assist with budget tracking disappeared, illustrating the entrenched resistance to accountability within the system.

Attah stressed that without transparency, it was impossible to assess how funds are utilised or measure their impact.

“This lack of trust erodes credibility and affects governance, particularly in the water and sanitation sector,” he noted.

Attah urged civil servants and stakeholders to view budgeting not as a punitive tool but as a mechanism to ensure efficiency, fairness, and impact.

“This initiative is a step toward bridging the funding gap in the WASH sector and ensuring that Nigeria remains on track to achieve the SDGs by 2030,” he added.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the participants, primarily NEWSAN members, were trained on various skills, including budget trend analysis, tracking, monitoring, and evaluation, among others.

National Cordinator, WASH Media Network, Mr Wale Elekolusi, spoke on the role of the media in promoting water and sanitation issues, calling for  sustained collaboration and advocacy.(NAN) (www.nannews.ng)

Edited by Abiemwense Moru

Environment

YouthWASH urges prioritisation of toilets, sanitation

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By Tosin Kolade

YouthWASH Initiative Africa has urged all tiers of government to prioritise improving sanitation and eliminating open defecation in Nigeria.

The appeal comes as the organisation, in partnership with NYSC and the Clean Nigeria Campaign, prepares to mark the 5th anniversary of the Clean Nigeria: Use the Toilet Campaign.

YouthWASH Coordinator, Mr Nature Obiakor told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) that the role of young persons in promoting sustainable sanitation efforts cannot be overemphasised.

“As Nigeria battles the public health and environmental challenges posed by open defecation, YouthWASH and its partners are committed to empowering the next generation of sanitation leaders.

“The fight against open defecation requires a united effort, by equipping young people with the tools and platforms to lead, we can create a cleaner and healthier Nigeria”.

He hinted that the National YouthWASH Digital Media Hangout, organised to celebrate the campaign’s achievements, is scheduled to run from November 19 to December 19, 2024.

The theme is “Youth-Led Digital Action for Sustainable Sanitation”.

Obiakor explained that the campaign would feature a 10-day digital media countdown, with daily themes such as ‘The Journey So Far’ and ‘Sanitation and Climate Change’.

“Influencers, youth advocates, and workshops on digital advocacy will drive awareness on social media platforms.

“The main event will include discussions on key sanitation issues and the official launch of YouthWASH Clubs across NYSC camps and schools.

“These clubs aim to sustain sanitation advocacy through grassroots engagement and youth leadership.

“After the event, the campaign will focus on sustaining momentum by sharing digital content, monitoring the impact of YouthWASH Clubs, and organising mentorship sessions for young sanitation advocates”.

According to Obiakor, the initiative’s goals include highlighting the achievements of the Clean Nigeria Campaign in reducing open defecation.

He said leveraging digital platforms to educate and mobilise young people on sanitation and hygiene was important.

Obiakor emphasised the importance of youth involvement, stating that institutionalising sanitation awareness and ongoing training would ensure young leaders drive lasting change in Nigeria. (NAN) (www.nannews.ng)

Edited by Abiemwense Moru

Environment

Adoption of conflict sensitive climate action crucial for  lasting peace – Stakeholders 

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By Angela Atabo/Emmanuel Oloniruha

Stakeholders in the peace-building, humanitarian and development space have emphasised the need to integrate climate sensitive approaches into resolving conflicts in Nigeria.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the stakeholders unanimously agreed to this approach at the inaugural meeting of Nigeria Conflict Sensitivity and Climate Adaptation Facility (NC-SAF) on Thursday in Abuja.

NAN also reports that the meeting was organised by International Alert, with support from Irish Aid.

According to the stakeholders, climate-sensitive conflict action prioritises understanding and addresses the interconnections between climate change and conflicts.

They stated that by adopting climate-sensitive adaptation, Nigeria could mitigate climate-related conflicts, promote sustainable peace and development as well as enhance sustainable peace in vulnerable communities.

The Country Director for International Alert, Dr Paul Nyulaku-Bemshima, said the meeting brought together a range of stakeholders to discuss the existential issues of insecurity facing Nigeria.

According to Nyulaku-Bemshima, Irish Aid is supporting International Alert to implement the “Powering Peace Through Climate Actions.”

This, he said, was because climate change was impacting communities, drying up grazing areas, making farming difficult and affecting food security, with productivity going down.

“As a result, the competition between occupational groups, such as headers and farmers, is increasing, becoming more intense and escalating conflicts in different parts of the country.

“Most conflicts in Nigeria are resource-based conflicts and so by that, we need to look at the issue of conflict and insecurity from a climate lens.

“This is because if we fail to do that, then the very drivers of the insecurity that we see will continue to fester,” he said.

Nyulaku-Bemshima said the banditry and insecurity in the north-west zone was impacting communities being influenced by climate change issues.

He said that most headers were moving south in search of grazing areas, thus creating tensions in those areas, such as the farmer-header conflicts.

According to him, the crises are being driven by climate change, thus necessitating the need to ask critical questions around insecurity and humanitarian development.

He said that a joint strategy would be required to address those issues at the national, state and community levels.

He called for conflict-sensitive policy-making to recognise the drivers of conflicts and respond to them.

Also speaking, Mr Dapo Oyewole, Senior Special Assistant to the President on International Cooperation, commended International Alert for the initiative.

He said that the Federal Government was committed to tackling the effects of climate change, which he described as a “global problem”.

He said that it required a holistic approach by government, civil society, international development community, and the citizens to find lasting solutions.

“Climate change tops the President Bola Tinubu administration’s agenda, with efforts focused on creating an enabling environment for prosperity, peace and security,” he said.

Oyewole said to tackle climate change, government had set up initiatives and interventions to bring critical stakeholders together by providing resources to chat the way forward.

Dr Kimaris Toogood, Peace and Development Advisor, Office of the UN Resident Coordinator, stressed the importance of recognising the role conflict sensitive approach played in the work of climate peace and security.

“By that I mean that the root of addressing and responding to climate change and conflict induced by climate change comes from understanding the root causes.

“It is only if we diagnose or understand the conflict correctly that our response will be able to be accurate, sustainable and resilient,” she said. (NAN)(www.nannews.ng)

Edited by ‘Wale Sadeeq

Environment

FG pledges commitment to ODF Nigeria by 2030

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By Tosin Kolade

The Minister of Water Resources and Sanitation, Prof. Joseph Utsev has pledged commitment to ending open defecation across Nigeria, calling for intensified efforts from all stakeholders to achieve this goal.

Utsev, speaking with newsmen on Friday in Abuja, noted that achieving an open defecation-free status involved more than building toilets.

He said that while huge progress had been made, ensuring access to and proper use of these facilities remained a crucial challenge.

“The challenge is not only the number of toilets available but also raising awareness and encouraging their consistent use.

“This is why we are elevating the campaign to a higher level. The Vice President will lead the relaunch of our strategy in a more impactful way,” he said.

He stated that development partners like UNICEF had made significant contributions by providing toilet facilities, training, and awareness campaigns.

“Our partners do not provide funds directly but support through the supply of toilets and training programmes, their efforts have been invaluable in driving this campaign forward,” he said.

The minister also thanked President Bola Tinubu for his commitment to achieving ODF status in Nigeria.

He said since the launch of the campaign in 2019, 135 local government areas and over 30,000 communities had achieved ODF status, with more areas undergoing verification.

According to him, despite these achievements, the road to universal sanitation remains long, especially in underserved and vulnerable communities.

“Ending open defecation is about more than toilets, it’s about improving health, boosting productivity, and enhancing the dignity and safety of our citizens,” the minister emphasised.

Utsev called on the media, private sector, and local communities to join the effort to raise awareness and ensure behavioural change at all levels.

He, however, urged renewed and collective action to achieve a cleaner and healthier Nigeria.

“The campaign remains a critical component of Nigeria’s efforts to improve sanitation and public health, with the 2025 ODF target in sight but requiring sustained momentum to achieve,” he said.

On strategic advocacy efforts, the minister said the ‘Clean Nigeria: Use the Toilet Campaign’ strategy will be relaunched on Nov. 19, coinciding with the World Toilet Day.

“Vice President Kashim Shettima will lead the event, which aims to strengthen collaboration among state governors, community leaders, civil society organisations, and development partners.

“We are calling on governors, community leaders, and partners to actively participate in this campaign,” he said.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the event is part of activities marking the 2024 World Toilet Day with the theme: ‘Sanitation for Peace,’ which underscores the significance of toilets as symbols of safety, dignity, and development. (NAN) www.nannews.ng

Edited by Kamal Tayo Oropo

Environment

Prioritise flood emergency preparedness, FG to states

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By Tosin Kolade

The Federal Ministry of Water Resources and Sanitation has urged states to prioritise emergency preparedness over reliance on federal intervention during disasters.

Mrs Elizabeth Ugoh, the ministry’s Director of Water Quality Control and Sanitation, made the call at the WASH in Emergency Technical Working Group meeting in Abuja on Wednesday.

Speaking on flood preparedness and response, Ugoh noted that many states relied heavily on federal government’s intervention and emphasised that states must prioritise awareness to prevent emergencies.

She stated the need for communities and states to take measures for flood prevention, adding that this would help reduce diseases such as cholera.

“Flood preparedness is key, we hope to see state governments take ownership of emergency preparedness and response, this will help the country”.

Ishaq Ado, National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) representative, said the agency was worried about states’ reliance on federal funds during emergency situations.

Ado outlined NEMA’s efforts to improve emergency response for the 2024 climate-related disasters, including risk mapping of vulnerable areas based on yearly forecasts.

He highlighted major challenges, such as inadequate funding and equipment, which limited NEMA’s response capacity.

“Only N4 billion of the approved N10 billion flood intervention fund has been received, and essential equipment like rescue boats, life jackets, and mobile clinics is lacking”.

Ado stressed the need for state agencies to take a more active role and reduce reliance on federal support for better disaster coordination.

He added that NEMA anticipated increased funding to aid 2024 flood recovery and prepared for potential 2025 flooding.

Mr Attah Benson, National Coordinator, Society for Water and Sanitation revealed ongoing efforts to combat cholera and waterborne disease outbreaks in states like Adamawa, Borno, Taraba, Enugu, Anambra, and Jigawa.

He stressed the need for increased mobilisation, particularly in high-risk states such as Borno, Jigawa, Anambra, and Enugu.

Benson also referenced the WASHNORM 3 report, which identified several gaps in Nigeria’s water infrastructure, noting that 530,142 of 2.3 million water facilities were non-functional.

“The report pointed to poorly implemented projects, with contractors failing to involve local communities, resulting in unsustainable or unusable facilities”.

He suggested that states consider alternatives, such as centralised water systems in urban areas, rather than relying solely on handpumps suited for rural communities.

Jessica Akinrogbe, WASH focal point, Nigeria Centre for Disease Control, reported that cholera cases were recorded in 36 states and the FCT, with Lagos having the highest number at 4,627 cases.

She noted that Borno and Katsina had 2,483 and 2,085 cases, respectively, in epidemiology week 44.

Akinrogbe stated that while the cholera trend was lower compared to previous years, greater coordination among stakeholders was needed to reverse the current trend.

Representatives from the UN Children’s Fund, Society for Family Health, and U-Save Foundation also provided updates on emergency interventions and the WASH sectors. (NAN) www.nannews.ng

Edited by Abiemwense Moru

Environment

Climate change: Nigeria making progress in energy transition – Onuigbo

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By Uche Anunne

Climate change activist, Sam Onuigbo says Nigeria is making progress in meeting its energy transition efforts.

Onuigbo, who is participating in the ongoing 29th session of the UN Climate Change Conference, CoP29, said this during a telephone interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Tuesday.

The conference is taking place in Baku, Baku, Azerbaijan.

Onuigbo, a former federal lawmaker, said the Climate Change Act which he sponsored as a member of House of Representatives and the establishment of National Council on Climate Change Nigeria, laid a solid foundation for climate change actions.

He is also a member, representing South-East, Governing Board, and Chairman Committee on Security, Climate Change, North-East Development Commission.

He said the Act and the Council provide the legal framework and institution for climate change policy implementation.

The former lawmaker said that the Compressed Natural Gas initiative as an alternative for fossil fuel vehicles by the Bola Tinubu`s administration was a bold step towards energy transition.

Onuigbo said the Electricity Act 2023 was a further impetus to providing cleaner energy.

The Act liberalises the nation’s electricity generation, transmission and distribution at the national level and empowers states, companies and individuals to generate, transmit and distribute electricity.

The Act also permits private investors to obtain generation, transmission and systems operations licenses.

Onuigbo said CoP29 presented an opportunity for Nigeria to boost investment in climate change initiatives.

According to him, Nigeria’s delegation to the conference will market Nigeria’s climate change market to international investors. (NAN)(www.nannews.ng)

Edited by Joseph Edeh

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