By Daniel Tyokua
The FCT Rural Water Supply and Sanitation Agency (RUWASSA) in conjunction with Japan International Cooperation have trained 60 community artisans on the maintenance of rural water supply schemes in villages.
Minister of State for the FCT, Dr. Ramatu Tijjani Aliyu disclosed this on Tuesday during the 2022 World Water Day held at Mawyeya near Gosa in Abuja, with the theme: “Groundwater: Making the Invisible, Visible”.
She explained that groundwater is central to surviving and adapting to climate change and meeting the needs of a growing population.
The Minister revealed that FCT Administration had in the last six months, constructed 192 rural water supply schemes of various types across the six area councils as part of measure to improve the citizens’ health status and dignity.
She said: “Water, Sanitation and Hygiene Committees (WASHCOMs) are currently being established in each beneficiary community to be in charge of operation and management of the facilities”.
Aliyu said that the optimal benefits that accrue from adequate water supply cannot be achieved without a corresponding improved sanitation and hygiene practices, while noting that access to adequate potable water and improved sanitation and hygiene practices, play important roles in defining the human capital development of a nation.
“In recognition of this, I performed a historic declaration of a State of Emergency in Water, Sanitation and Hygiene (WASH) in the Federal Capital Territory. The event was a clear demonstration that the Administration has officially stepped into the national push to end open defecation, accelerate access to safe water and improved hygienic practices for all residents of the Territory, thus leaving no one behind”
On his part, the Executive Director, FCT Rural Water Supply and Sanitation Agency, Dr Mohammed Dan-Hassan said the project was in fulfillment of the core mandate of RUWASSA to improve access to safe water by provision of new and rehabilitation of existing water schemes in rural communities across the Federal Capital Territory.
He also stated that the provision of borehole to Mawyeya community was the first time residents of the community would have access to safe water supply, just as he appealed to residents of the community to protect and sustainably manage the project.
