USAID Transfers $3.5M WASH Project To Over 60 Rural Communities In Jigawa, Kano

USAID Transfers $3.5M WASH Project To Over 60 Rural Communities In Jigawa, Kano

The United States Agency International Development (USAID) has handed over Water and Sanitation projects worth $3.5 million to Jigawa and Kano State Governments.

Chief of Party on Water Improvement and Sanitation Enhancement (WISE) project, Mr. Simeon Nyiakaa, announced this at the hand over of the ceremony at Manpower Development Institute Dutse, jigawa state capital.

He said: “The three years project commenced on August 1, 2021 with aims of reducing the occurrence an effects of waterborne diseases among targeted population especially children, women and the elderly in underserved and rural communities of the two States.”

He said the projects targeted 66,000 residents to have access to basic water and 123,000 persons to basic sanitation with 55 improved water supply system and 50 improved sanitation facilities in public institution including schools and primary healthcare centres in two working states.

“Here in Jigawa the programme had achieved in the 32 communities of Jigawa state, that is 17 communities of Kaugama and 15 communities of Miga LGAs where the project (WISE) firstly established and trained 62 water caretakers and local area mechanics, 102 water, sanitation, and hygiene committees (WASHCOMs), and 102 artisans in each of our targeted communities,” he added.

Nyiakaa noted that the efforts were aimed at to drive WASH service delivery and management, ensuring that the ownership and sustainability of installed WASH facilities remain strong.

“WISE has successfully installed and sustained the operations of 55 improved water facilities in rural communities of Kaugama and Miga LGAs in the State, including 14 in schools and three, healthcare facilities,” he added.

He maintained the facilities are providing potable water to over 42,000 rural community residents at 20 liters per person per day, which surpassed the initial target of 33,000 beneficiaries, ensuring more people have access to safe and sustainable drinking water in the state.

He added that WISE has installed 18 improved and gender-responsive sanitation facilities in 14 public schools and four healthcare facilities within these 32 rural communities; and has supported over 6,000 households, approximately 60,000 individuals, in constructing and using their own safely managed latrines.

“The initiatives have significantly reduced open defecation with 28 of the 32 project communities certified as Open Defecation Free by Jigawa State and National Sanitation Task Groups,” he emphasised.

Yobe Commissioner of Water Resources Mal. Ibrahim Garba promised that the state government would provides political will and commitment to support all intervention even after the projects duration, also would scale of and sustainably programmes.