By Gabriel Ewepu, Abuja

The Minister of Water Resources and Sanitation, Engr Joseph Utsev, yesterday, called on Nigerians to own Water Sanitation and Hygiene, WASH, facilities in their domain and make them functional.

Utsev made the appeal at the unveiling of the Framework for Water, Sanitation and Hygiene Committee, WASHCOM, in Abuja, where he expressed optimism that the Committee will ensure management, sustainability and functionality WASH facilities nationwide.

However, he pointed out that there is no gainsaying of the fact about community participation and role in making sure the WASH facilities in their domain are well managed and also to access clean water and sanitation services.

Meanwhile, according to the Minister, the 2021 WASHNORM report indicated 2,313,566 water points across the country, of which 60 per cent are located in rural communities while 40 per cent are in urban areas.

According to him, findings from the 2021 WASHNORM survey highlights the urgent need for action to bridge the gaps in disparities between urban and rural areas, underscoring the need for targeted interventions.

He said, “62 per cent were found to be functional nationwide as at the time of the survey while 38 per cent were broken down.

“The predominant reasons for the non-functionality of WASH systems were attributed to the absence of ownership, poor deployment of technology options, lack of viable operations and maintenance system.

“Others are inadequate tariff systems for cost recovery and sparse community participation and accountability.”

However, he urged stakeholders, including Government Agencies, Development Partners, Civil Society Organizations, and local communities, to commit to the implementation and utilization of this framework through continuous sensitization, advocacy, and follow-up, to ensure effective formation, training, and management of WASHCOMs nationwide.

He acknowledged the invaluable support of the African Development Bank, and all contributors to the development of the framework and expressed optimism that the collective usage of this framework will instill a culture of WASH sustainability and drive positive change at the grassroots level.

The Permanent Secretary, Shehu Shinkafi, represented by Director, Water Supply, Engr. Nicholas Dumebi Madu, emphasized the crucial importance of Water, Sanitation, and Hygiene (WASH) for human well-being and economic development. He highlighted the challenges of the WASH Sector and called for the active involvement of all stakeholders, especially WASH facility users, in maintenance and sustainability efforts.

“Many often break down and are abandoned as a result of the negligence of duty or inability of responsible agencies of government or beneficiary of such facilities to perform their roles as it’s expected of them.

“It is now evident that government cannot solve water, sanitation, and hygiene problems alone; the ministry recognises the roles and responsibility of all the stakeholders, especially in operation and maintenance and its sustainability.

“Therefore it is required of them to be effectively organised, formed, and trained if they are to deliver on their responsibilities,” he said.