The Minister of Water Resources and Sanitation Professor Joseph Terlumun Utsev has vowed to make Benue State open defecation free before the end of 2025.
Professor Utsev made this vow a National Retreat on Clean Nigeria Use the Toilet Campaign and the unveiling of the National Wash information, Education and Communication Material in Abuja
Professor Utsev urged all State Government present at the retreat to make a clear time-bound ODF Action Plan that will align with the revised Clean Nigeria Campaign Implementation Strategy 2025 – 2030.
According to the minister, inorder to bridge the gap in access to WASH facilities in Federal Government institutions, the ministry is currently implementing the SchoolWASH and the HealthWASH programmes in collaboration with the Federal Ministries of Education and Health.
“We are looking at strengthening the role of the private sector to drive market-based solutions and create business opportunities for sanitation entrepreneurs such as Toilet Business Owners” he stressed.
“Also, innovative financing models and expand public-private partnerships to attract investment in sanitation infrastructure and services are being explored, while leveraging on technology and innovations in delivering services and monitoring progress” Professor Utsev added.
“At this juncture, I wish to challenge every State Government present here today to develop a clear time-bound ODF Action Plan that will align with the revised Clean Nigeria Campaign Implementation Strategy 2025 – 2030. Also, it is highly essential to have a strong political commitment and dedicated Implementation Team in your respective States to double up the level of progress” the Minister emphasized.
In his welcome address, the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Water Resources and Sanitation, Mr. Richard Pheelangwah said open defecation free is achievable if supported with strong political strong well.
Pheelangwah who was represented by the Director Reforms Coordination, Moses Jo- Madugu added that the Federal and state governments have achieved alot but more is still needed.
He reiterated the government commitment to achieving a clean Nigeria by 2030.
In her presentation, the National Coordinator Clean Nigeria Use the Toilet Campaign, Mrs Chizom Opara who explained that the aim of the retreat was to evaluate the five years of the campaign stressed that only one hundred and forty two local government from across twenty states are now open defecation free.
Mrs Opara called for more collaborative efforts to achieve the goal in making Nigeria Open Defecation Free, ODF, by 2030.
Earlier, the Gombe state Commissioner for Water Resources, Mahammed Saidu Kawo who responded on behalf of his colleagues who called for reflection following figures released pledged commitment to come up with a road map at the end of the retreat that will help navigate the next five year and ensuring that the aim of the ODF is achieved.
There were goodwill messages from stakeholders, Ministry of Health, Water Aid, Society for water and Sanitation, UNICEF, Youth WASH initiatives Africa amongst others.
The two day retreat had the 36 states commissioners for water Resources and the FCT in attendance, development partners and stakeholders in the water sector.
