Bwari: Church tackles water, sanitation deficit with N133M project

By Stanley Onyekwere

Worried by the widening gaps in water and sanitation delivery in Abuja, the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints, a faith based organisation has stepped intervention measures through sponsorship of a 133-million Naira project in Bwari area council of Abuja, the Federal Capital Territory (FCT).

It was gathered that the project, fully funded by the Latter-Day Saints Charity (LDSC) is expected to be executed by WaterAid within a one-year period, in order to strengthen Water, Sanitation and Hygiene (WASH) delivery in four selected communities namely; Dakwa, Barangoni, Zuma II and Tudun Fulani within Bwari Area council.

Also, the project will focus on increasing access to WASH services by constructing and rehabilitating solar-powered water facilities as wel as provision of gender-inclusive public sanitation facilities in the selected communities.

Speaking when the projected was recently launched by FCT Rural Water Supply and Sanitation Directorate otherwise known as RUWASSA in partnership with WaterAid Nigeria, Elder Idyo Egbo, of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints, the sponsors of the project, said the Church noticed the gap that exist in sanitation and water supply, and in its philanthropic nature decided to partner with WaterAid to provide water and sanitation for the people in the selected communities.

He added that the Church believe in uplifting the lives of the people, looking on how people can be better off and Sustainable Development Goals (MDGs) help to forge partnerships in such interventional.

According to him: “In Abuja, about 70% of people lack access to adequate water supply, and 52% of these people also suffer from living in unhygienic environment, and there is another 30% that seriously are affected by open defecation. So we believe that this project will assist in reducing that number. But particularly, it will

change attitude and behaviours.

“I believe with what we have done, we will see an improvement in the living standard of people especially in areas that are outside the metropolitan city of Abuja”.

Similarly, a representative of the WaterAid Nigeria, Kolawole Baruwo, Head of Advocacy, Policy and Communication, noted that over the next twelve months, the project will make life meaningful for the people as a start.

Baruwo said: “When people fall sick from water bone diseases, children cannot go to school, women cannot go to the markets and be productive, so society slows down generally.

“So to provide access to WASH in the selected communities in Bwari, with the hope of reaching 9,500 people especially women and children in schools, so that they can have dignity, good health and participate meaningfully in the society”.

Earlier, in his remarks, Executive Director, FCT RUWASSA, Mohammed Dan-Hassan, said the initiative will serve as a model for improved access to Water, Sanitation and Hygiene (WASH) in FCT communities.

Dan-Hassan disclosed that two communities will be provided with two new water scheme, one community will get rehabilitation of an existing water scheme, while there will be the provision of a sanitation facility.

On his part, District Head, Dakwa Community, Alh. Alhassan Musa, who spoke on behalf of the beneficiary communities, described the project as a critical intervention that would improve the wellbeing of people in the rural areas.

Highpoint of the event was the official signing of the Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) by RUWASSA and WaterAid Nigeria, signalling the commencement of the project.

Also, some of the key stakeholders who witnessed the singing include; the Esu Bwari, HRH Ibrahim Yaro, Supervisory Councillor, Environment, Hon. Salihu Matthew, represented the Bwari Chairman, and HOD, Admin at the Council, Mary Ishaya amongst others.