By Fatima Saka
The Nigerian Government has underscored its dedication to prioritizing Water, Sanitation, and Hygiene at the highest echelons of political authority, during the World Water Week in Sweden.
Citing the Presidential Executive Order No. 9 issued in 2019, which heralded the Clean Nigeria: Use the Toilet Campaign designed to eradicate open defecation by 2025.
The Honorable Minister of State for the Federal Ministry of Water Resources and Sanitation, Rt. Hon. Bello Muhammad Goronyo, Esq., made this accentuation during his keynote address at the Heads of State Initiative event at the World Water Week themed “Bridging Borders: Water for a peaceful and sustainable future” in Stockholm, Sweden on Monday.
He emphasized Nigeria’s unwavering commitment to the Water, Sanitation, and Hygiene Sector aims to protect the health and welfare of its citizens from communicable diseases stemming from waterborne illnesses
The gathering, devoted to advancing global endeavors in Water, Sanitation, and Hygiene (WASH), provided a platform for Nigeria to showcase its advancements and persistent dedication to enhancing WASH standards nationwide.
In his discourse, Rt. Hon. Goronyo emphasized the campaign as a pivotal endeavor in safeguarding the health, dignity, and well-being of Nigerians, particularly in rural areas where access to sanitation facilities remains scarce.
“Open defecation poses substantial health hazards, including the transmission of water-borne diseases such as cholera, diarrhea, and typhoid fever,” declared the Minister of State.
The Minister of State delineated the strategic foundations of the Clean Nigeria campaign, encompassing the expansion of sanitation facility access, promotion of hygienic practices, and mobilization of communities for behavioral transformation.
He also underscored the significance of collaborative efforts with stakeholders, including state governments, local authorities, civil society organizations, and international partners, which have yielded significant progress.
He disclosed that to date, one state and 126 Local Government Areas have been designated Open Defecation Free (ODF).
He underscored that the Federal Government, under the leadership of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR, has consistently shown dedication to achieving SDG 6.1 and 6.2 targets for WASH, with the Steering Committee for the Campaign to end Open Defecation in Nigeria chaired by the Vice President, Kashim Shettima.
He highlighted several pivotal initiatives, including the declaration of a State of Emergency in the WASH sector, implementation of the National Action Plan for the Revitalization of the Sector, and initiation of the Sustainable Urban and Rural Water Sanitation & Hygiene (SURWASH) program, the Partnership for Expanded Water, Sanitation, and Hygiene (PEWASH) program, the launch of the National Outcome Routine Mapping (WASHNORM) survey to monitor progress on the attainment of the SDGs, among others.
According to him, “A Presidential Compact is a transformative endeavor that necessitates unwavering commitment and strategic leadership. We remain resolute in our pursuit of a healthier and more equitable future for all.” He expressed optimism that all nations and partners will persist in the pursuit of a healthier and more equitable future for all.
He extended gratitude to the partners spearheading the Heads of State Initiative, including the Sanitation and Water for All partnership, UNICEF, IRC WASH, and the Kingdom of the Netherlands.
He encouraged continued collaboration and dedication to constructing a healthier and more equitable future through strong leadership and strategic planning.
