The Sustainable Urban and Rural Water and Sanitation Hygiene (SURWASH) program in Kaduna, has begun consultation and assessment for implementing the services in the state.
SURWASH is a World Bank approved $700 million program in Imo, Delta, Ekiti, Gombe, Kaduna, Katsina and Plateau.
The program will focus on improving access to Water Supply, Sanitation and Hygiene (WASH) services in selected states and establishing the policies, regulations, procedures, institutional frameworks, and supply chain.
Jummai Ibrahim, the Social and Gender Officer for SURWASH program in Kaduna, said the rehabilitation and construction of water and sanitation facilities would be done under the project in the selected communities.
At the Palace of the Ward Head of Makera, Rigasa, Igabi LGA of Kaduna State on Monday, Ibrahim therefore, said engaging traditional leaders was to inform them of the program objectives and solicit their cooperation and support to ensure its smooth running.
“We want smooth running of the projects without any challenges from community members, ”she said.
She explained that the objectives of SURWASH was to strengthen institutions and communities in the state and also provide access to sanitation facilities.
Stating the importance of community members in the program, she noted that it was to ensure sustainability by taking ownership and protecting the facilities as though it was theirs.
Earlier, Mr Ameen Tanko, Small Town Water Engineer with SURWASH, said in each of their projects, they screened the site and sensitized the communities to their importance.
He added that SURWASH program lays much emphasis on how beneficiary communities take ownership and protect the projects.
Tanko noted that the sensitization at the Ward Head’s palace was part of the implementation of SURWASH projects, adding the next was to visit selected locations for screening and commencement.
Tanko said communities in Igabi, Chukun, Jama’a, Sabon Gari, Jaba and Soba LGAs of the state would benefit from the projects, disclosing that in Igabi alone, about 15 sites were targeted.
He restated the importance of traditional institution to SURWASH projects, noting that they were the voice of the grassroots and mechanism in ensuring sustainability of the projects.
He, therefore, said traditional leaders in the communities were in the best position to give best locations where the SURWASH projects would be sited for the wellbeing and hygiene of the community.
He urged the Rigasa community to ensure judicious utilization of the intending water and sanitation facilities in their areas.
Also, Abdullahi Ali, the Desk Officer of SURWASH in Kaduna State Rural Water Supply and Sanitation Agency (RUWASSA), one of the implementing agencies, called on Rigasa community to utilize the projects that would be sited for them.
He explained that in RUWASSA, they noted locations within the state that were served, under served and not served.
He, therefore, noted that siting the water and sanitation projects was based on need assessment.
Responding, the Ward Head of Makera, Alhaji Isyaku Umaru, assured the SURWASH team of maximum cooperation by his community heads.
He thanked them for the projects which would be sited in Rigasa, while urging them on quality work.
Speaking to NAN after the meeting, community members of Rigasa expressed joy, noting the importance of water and its importance to hygiene.
The team also engaged Barakallahu community, among others.
