NEWS AGENCY OF NIGERIA

Loading

Tag USAID

Environment

USAID awards $841,217 to CSOs for WASH interventions

By Adebola Adegoke/Mariam Akande
The United States Agency for International Development (USAID) and the Lagos Urban Water, Sanitation, and Hygiene (LUWASH) Activity have awarded 841,217 dollars grant to support seven organisations to improve hygiene services in Lagos State.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the grant approved by USAID will be implemented through the Capacity Building, Research, and Advocacy Fund.

It is to strengthen the sustainability and help Civil Society Organisations (CSOs) in delivering safe water, sanitation, and hygiene services.

The recipient organisations include the Clean Borehole Water Sellers Association of Lagos, Youth Empowerment Foundation, Optimal Greening Foundation, Lagos Civil Society Participation for Development (LACSOP).

Others are Development Communications Network, Initiative for Disaster Risk Reduction and Urban Resilience, and Organisation for Peaceful Society in Africa.

Some of the grantees spoke to NAN at the sidelines of an orientation workshop organised by USAID and LUWASH in Lagos.

The three-day workshop was to strengthen the technical and managerial capabilities of the grantee organisations and ensure they utilise the grants for successful outcomes of their interventions.

Mrs Anthonia Bakare, Project Lead, Lagos State Civil Society Partnership for Development, said their project was aimed at tackling inefficiencies in the water sector, especially the Lagos State Water Corporation (LWC).

“Even in areas where the corporation is supposed to provide water, they are not available.

“So, our intervention is aimed at checking what is happening in terms of government investment into the sector.

“We are going to start by carrying out studies to find out the budget that the government has been investing for the past few years and what policies are available guiding water resource management in the state.

“To ensure sustainability, we are going to be engaging community members, civil society groups and community based organisations,” Bakare said.

She added that the project, expected to run for 16 months, would 10 target communities namely Agege, Abesan, Baruwa, Ikoyi/Obalende, Saka Tinubu, Lekki, Badore, Iju, Isokan (Bariga) and Surulere

Mrs Bimbo Eluwole, the General Secretary, Clean Borehole Water Sellers Association of Lagos State, said the project would span a period of 18 months with activities such as mapping, needs assessment, training, and surveys on boreholes in Lagos State.

Eluwole said the project is targeted at ensuring people have access to clean and safe borehole water by bringing the sellers under regulations.

“We want to regulate every borehole water seller and charity provider such as churches and mosques and train them on how to install filters, test their water and meet up with regulatory standards.

“Our intervention will also include providing youth empowerment by training them to take up selling water as a business.

“We are collaborating with the Lagos State Water Regulatory Commission, the Lagos Water Corporation and Ministry of Environment and Water Resources,” she said.

She said the intervention would also create an avenue to sensitise the communities on cholera prevention and control.

“Some people dig their borehole close to their septic tank and even release faecal to the gutters which are close to the borehole.

“This means we are guilty and we have a lot of work to do,” she said.

Mr Akin Jimoh, Programme Director, Development Communications Network, said the intervention would focus on building the capacity of community-based organisations in governance, resource mobilisation and sustainability in providing quality WASH services.

“The provision of clean water is important. Governments private organisations and individuals need to be able provide services according to the rules and standards.

“Our grant contract is for 18 months and we intend to work in three local government areas, six community development associations and 30 community-based organisations,” he said.

Earlier in his presentation, the Deputy Chief of Party LUWASH, Mr John Soni, said the grant would be managed in compliance with USAID and U.S. Government regulations governing Grants Under Contracts, as well as LUWASH’s internal grant management policies.

According to him, the organisations will implement interventions aimed at improving Menstrual Hygiene Management practices, establishing the Citizens-led Accountability and Inclusion Mechanism for WASH service delivery.

“One of the grants will facilitate effective fecal sludge management and restore water supply and sanitation facilities in the Okobaba community in Ebute Metta East, Lagos Mainland Local Government, among other initiatives,” he said.

He urged the grantees to prioritise the USAID LUWASH principles in implementing their interventions.

“The LUWASH project principles include gender, equity and social inclusion, monitoring and evaluation, financial management, youth engagement, private sector engagement, collaboration, and do no harm principles,” he said.(NAN) (www.nannews.ng)
Edited by Bola Akingbehin/Chinyere Joel-Nwokeoma

General News

Group advocates state commissions against trafficking in persons

By Aderogba George
A group, Counter Trafficking In Persons (CTIP) Cluster group, has advocated for the  establishment of a commission to oversee the issue of human trafficking in states.

The group, at a learning event on Tuesday in Abuja, stated that states commission on human trafficking would adequately tackle CTIP issues instead of the present taskforces on human trafficking.

The group said that the National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons (NAPTIP) is currently overwhelmed, adding that state commissions would complement their efforts.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the group is funded by the United States Agency on International Development (USAID), through the Palladium project.

NAN also reports that the group noted the rampant cases of human trafficking in Benue, Taraba, and Oyo States, and called for funding for the operations of these commissions in the states.

Mrs Mabel Ade, Executive Director of Adinya Arise Foundation (AAF), called for enhanced counter-trafficking responses, citing poverty, unemployment, and hunger as push factors contributing to the menace.

“There is a need for government to put up more legal framework to checkmate the activities of human traffickers in Benue, Taraba and Oyo.

“Human trafficking is a dangerous thing that can make one lose contact with their loved ones forever and this can lead to a prolonged trauma,” she said.

Members of the group posed for photograph after it meeting in Abuja on Tuesday

Dr Priscilla Achakpa, the Chief Executive Officer of Women Environmental Programme, highlighted the importance of enforcement of law and value reorientation of the children.

She noted that legislation alone is insufficient without adequate implementation at the state level.

“Nigeria has two main problems in fighting human trafficking: weak laws and lack of funds for enforcement, especially at the state level where trafficking starts.

“This issue is now prevalent in areas with high population of Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs), unemployment, poverty, and regions plagued by conflict and insurgency.

Achakpa said that value reorientation was crucial to stem the tide of human trafficking in Nigeria.

She urged decision makers to take action and support the advocacy efforts of CTIP Cluster group to prevent trafficking, protect victims and prosecute perpetrators.

NAN reports that the event brought together stakeholders who share knowledge and best practices in tackling human trafficking.(NAN)(www.nannews.ng)

General News

Nigeria plastic solutions initiative will create 10,000 jobs — USAID

By Busayo Onijala

Melissa Jones, Mission Director, U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID), Nigeria says the newly launched Nigeria Plastic Solutions Initiative will create 10,000 jobs and generate $4.8 million in income.

Jones made this known in her remarks at the launch of the Nigeria Plastic Solutions Activity, an initiative equally funded by USAID and the Coca-Cola Foundation, on Monday, in Lagos.

The launch had the theme, “Reduce, Reuse, Recycle: Building a Sustainable Future.”

The Nigeria Plastic Solutions Activity is a 24-month initiative being implemented by TechnoServe Nigeria,  in collaboration with its partner, the Growing Businesses Foundation (GBF).

This initiative seeks to tackle the critical challenge of plastic waste management in Nigeria through innovative recycling solutions.

Jones said the goal of the activity was to recycle 49,000 metric tons of plastic waste produced in Lagos and Anambra states over the next two years.

She added that by recycling plastics, the environment was safeguarded and pathways to economic empowerment for underemployed Nigerians unlocked.

According to her, Nigeria is the ninth highest contributor to plastic pollution, with about 2.5 million tonnes of plastic waste annually, over 88 percent of which is not recycled.

The result of this, she said, is excessive plastic pollution, which threatens ecosystems, marine life, and public health.

“It is plastic pollution that clogs our waterways, mars our landscapes, kills thousands of marine animals, and releases toxins into the environment.

“Firstly, plastics recycling reduces the demand for virgin materials, curbing the energy-intensive process of producing new plastics by up to 90 per cent and reducing greenhouse gas emissions by 25 per cent.

“Recycling plastics also reduces the amount of plastic entering the ocean by 80 per cent.

“The 49,000 metric tons of plastics collected and recycled under the Nigeria Plastic Solutions Activity will contribute to efforts to achieve these targets and the overall goal of a more sustainable and circular plastics economy in Nigeria,” she said.

Jones added that asides improving the environment, plastic collection, sorting, aggregating, processing and manufacturing offers employment opportunities.

On her part, Small and medium scale enterprises and entry-level and semi-skilled workers particularly stand to benefit from this new value chain.

“Because barriers to entry in the recycling sector are relatively low, the National Plastic Solutions Activity will be able to employ marginalised groups including women, youth, and people with disabilities.”

She noted that USAID would provide an enabling environment to improve the competitiveness, sustainability, and profitability of numerous collectors, aggregators and recyclers.

On her part, plastics recycling is not just an environmental imperative, it’s a catalyst for sustainable development and economic prosperity.

General Manager, Coca-Cola Nigeria Ltd, Mariam Khan said her company remained committed to creating shared opportunities and making a difference in communities.

She noted that the initiative was not just about cleaning up but also about positively impacting lives and creating jobs.

“This programme is a key illustration of what collaborative efforts can do for the society and the ripple effect of this will be significant,” she said.

In her remarks, Adesuwa Akinboro Country Director, Nigeria, TechnoServe said the activity aims to reduce plastic waste in Lagos and Anambra states by at least 49,000 metric tons, through inclusive, market-driven interventions along the value chain.

According to her, a fundamental aspect of the approach is the emphasis on developing market systems to drive the circular economy.

“We recognise the complexities within the plastic waste recycling value chain and are committed to addressing these challenges through innovative solutions that will enable sustainable practices and create inclusive job opportunities.

“Our collaborative model ensures that we remain accountable and effective in achieving our waste reduction and recycling targets, reinforcing our commitment to environmental stewardship,” she noted. (NAN)

Edited by Oluwole Sogunle

USAID logo
Health

USAID-IHP supports FG to Improve healthcare delivery in FCT

By Franca Ofili

Dr Adewumi Frances-Lois, State Director, Integrated Health Programme (IHP), FCT has said that the five years USAID-IHP expanded technical support to Nigeria would help to reduce maternal morbidity and mortality in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT).

Frances-Lois said this at a one-day media engagement meeting on Tuesday in Dutse Alhaji.

According to her, the project has three objectives which are to strengthen health systems, support and improve Primary Health Care (PHC) services and to increase quality of PHC.

She stated that the purpose was to implement priority on PHC interventions to strengthen the health leadership and ward-level health systems as well as to strengthen engagement with the government.

Frances-Lois said that the programme had achieved its set goals and objectives of contributing to the reductions in child maternal morbidity and mortality in the FCT, while increasing the capacity of health systems.

This, she said had sustainably supported the quality of PHC services since its five years of operation in the territory.

“No fewer than 50 PHCs in the FCT have been supported with provision of essential furniture, beddings, designed and deployed an e-portal for Private Health Establishments.

“Health care workers were trained in 126 facilities, while on Maternal and new born health we trained 530.

“On Family Planning, we trained 477 and 524 trained in child health using the low dose high frequency approach.

“We trained 80 health care workers in 12 government hospitals on inpatient management of severe malaria, severe pneumonia and severe complicated malnutrition,” she said.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that USAID Integrated Health Programme (IHP) has expanded technical support to Nigeria to rapidly scale-up proven reproductive, maternal, newborn, child health, nutrition and malaria (RMNCH+NM) intervention.

IHP interventions were present in Ebonyi, Bauchi, Kebbi, and Sokoto states, including FCT, to supports health policies and systems.

Also, Mr David Barau, Public Relations Officer, FCT Health Insurance Scheme (FHIS), said that the benefit of the package was the basic components of care an enrollee beneficiary would receive from the healthcare provider at all levels.

Barau said that they have three types of care which were fully covered – partial exclusive and total exclusive.

He said that the scheme had commenced access to healthcare since September 2009.

“The scheme is a social health insurance that operates on the principle of solidarity, pooling of resources and risk sharing for the provision of affordable, accessible and qualitative health care to FCT residents and the nation at large,” he added. (NAN)(www.nannews.ng)

==========
Edited by Halima Sheji

Foreign

USAID, SON partner to tackle lead poisoning in Nigeria

By Mark Longyen

The United States Government through its Agency for International Development (USAID) has agreed to collaborate with the Standards Organization of Nigeria (SON), towards mitigating cases of lead poisoning in Nigeria.

This is contained in a statement by the spokesperson of the U.S. Embassy, Aisha Gambari, in Abuja.

Gambari said that USAID’s Nigeria Mission Director, Melissa Jones, made this known during a courtesy visit to SON’s  Director-General, Dr. Ifeanyi Okeke, in Abuja.

Gambari explained that the partnership included plans to enhance surveillance, regulation, and enforcement of standards related to consumer goods and paints in Nigeria.

“USAID is committed to leading the Government of Nigeria’s mitigation efforts to save Nigerian children from further risk of lead exposure.

“USAID will provide technical assistance to SON to raise awareness about the safe use of products that contain lead, support Nigeria in joining the Global Alliance to Eliminate Lead Paint (Lead Paint Alliance).

“It will aid SON in enacting legislation to identify lead-containing products and its manufacturers, while SON will lead engagement with other federal agencies working on lead removal in high-risk communities,” the statement quoted Jones as saying.

She said Okeke explained that to limit lead in consumer goods and paints, SON had adopted global and regional standards prohibiting the production and importation of paint products with lead concentration beyond 90 parts per million.

He said that in April, 2024, SON would participate in a U.S.-Nigeria Bi-National Commission meeting, to contribute to technical discussions on policy framework, regulation, and sensitization on lead mitigation in Nigeria.

“A 2011 survey by the U.S. Center for Disease Control and Prevention revealed that unsafe mining and ore processing are the leading causes of lead poisoning in Nigeria.

“USAID leads international development and humanitarian efforts to save lives, reduce poverty, strengthen democratic governance and help nations progress beyond assistance.

“In Nigeria, USAID supports health systems strengthening, transparent and accountable governance, basic education, and a more market-led, trade-friendly economy,” she further said.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that lead can affect individuals of any age, but children are particularly vulnerable due to their behavioral patterns and susceptibility to toxicity at lower exposure levels.

Globally, an estimated one-third of children have blood lead concentrations that impair cognitive development and contribute to learning disabilities and attention deficits.(NAN)(www.nannews.ng)

========

Edited by Isaac Aregbesola

Environment

USAID commits $3m to African water facility — AfDB

 

By Lucy Ogalue

The United States Agency for International Development (USAID) has committed 3 million dollars to the African Water Facility (AWF).

This is contained in a statement issued on the African Development Bank’s (AfDB) website.

According to the statement, the funding will support the preparation of water and sanitation investment projects in Africa.

It said this would be done through the provision of grants and technical assistance to African countries and regional economic communities.

The AWF, an initiative of the African Ministers Council on Water (AMCOW), is hosted by the AfDB.

It is the only African project preparation facility solely focused on addressing water and sanitation issues in Africa.

It helps African countries achieve the objectives and targets set by the water-related Sustainable Development Goals and African Water Vision 2025.

And it does this by the preparation of innovative water and sanitation projects across the continent.

It said access to water and sanitation in Sub-Saharan Africa remains poor.

”’Approximately 400 million people lack basic water supply services, while over 700 million people have no access to decent sanitation.

” Nearly 200 million people still practice open defecation, and 750 million people have no access to hygiene.

” Achieving water security and sanitation for all requires large-scale investment in water supply and sanitation, improved governance of water resources and operations, and the design of climate-resilient infrastructure.”

The AfDB explained that since inception, the facility provided 205 million euros in grant funding for water and sanitation projects in Africa.

It said it had also enabled over 1.7 billion euros in downstream investment in the water and sanitation sector.

Dr Beth Dunford, AfDB’s Vice President for Agriculture, Human and Social Development, commended the agency for the funds.

“This USAID financing affirms growing international support for the AWF as a trusted partner and resource for Africa’s water sector.

” We thank the United States for the funding commitment that will contribute to scaling up the Facility’s work and positively impacting more people across the continent.

”Under its 2022 – 2027 Strategy, USAID aims to reach 22 million people with access to safe drinking water and 22 million people with access to sanitation over five years,” she said.

The coordinator for the AWF, Mtchera Chirwa said the Facility was raising millions of euros to develop investments.

According to Chirwa, the investment will accelerate public and private sector financing of the water sector and deployment of innovation to improve service delivery.

”The support from USAID comes in the lead up to its 2023 funding dialogue in Paris this October, where the facility will engage donors, beneficiary governments, multilateral and international organisations.

”To enhance financing for water and sanitation investment projects in Africa.

“The negative impacts of inadequate access to water and sanitation and poor management of water resources are seen in many countries in Africa.

” The AWF exists to accelerate viable, climate responsive investments by providing grants, technical assistance, and developing catalytic and innovative projects to improve water and sanitation service delivery and water governance in Africa,” he added.

The Facility’s revised Strategic Plan 2017–2025 will endeavour to mobilise resources to increase the delivery of bankable investment projects in water and sanitation across the continent.

This is expected to enable access to climate-resilient and safely managed water supply for 2.6 million people and provide basic sanitation facilities to 2.4 million people.(NAN)

edited by Sadiya Hamza

Education

USAID donates textbook in local language to pupils in Oyo

By Ibukun Emiola

The United States Agency for International Development (USAID) has donated over 10,000 textbooks tagged: ‘Je Ka kawe’ (let’s read) to pupils in Oyo State to enable them read and write in their mother tongue.

Dr Nureni Adeniran, Executive Chairman, Oyo State Universal Basic Education Board (SUBEB) said this, in a statement, on Friday in Ibadan.

Adeniran said that the book developed by language experts with the support of local professionals from the board, was written in Yoruba Language for Primary 1, 2 and 3.

He said the books were handed over to the board by Nurudeen Lawal, Chief of Party of USAID Northern Education Initiative Plus.

Similar versions of the book tagged: ‘Mu Karanta’ had been launched in the Northern part of Nigeria and in the south eastern Nigeria, where it is called: ‘Ka Anyi Guo’.

Adeniran said Je Ka kawe’ contained stories and pictures that promoted positive social values and would be distributed to pupils in the 2,450 public schools in the state.

Adeniran thanked USAID for the books, saying the gesture would boost Governor Seyi Makinde led administration’s vision of ensuring all children could read and write fluently.

Lawal said the agency’s aim was to ensure children in African nations could read and write unhindered.

According to Lawal, the importance of mother-tongue cannot be overemphasised, hence the mass production of “Je ka kawe”, which will boost the literacy level of children and youths.

He added that the development of ‘Je ka kawe’ was premised on the language provisions in the National Policy on Education, that the mother-tongue of the immediate community should be the medium of instruction at the lower level of education.

The Chief of Party said the initiative was to reach 1.6 million children in lower grades and more than 500,000 out-of-school-children and youths in community learning centres.

He said the programme would also train, equip teachers and facilitators in schools and non-formal learning centres. (NAN)