…strategizes to achieve state wide ODF
The Benue State Rural Water Supply and Sanitation Agency (BERWASSA) in collaboration with United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) has joined forces with Toilet Business Owners (TBOs) and other relevant partners to ensure that a state wide Open Defecation Free (ODF) status is achieved in the state by the year 2030.
The partners, stakeholders and Donors met in Makurdi to strategize ways, review the work TBOs have done so far, identify challenges hindering accelerated usage of toilet in the state and forge a way forward in actualizing the set goal.
Speaking at the 1st Benue Conference, 2024 held Thursday at Smile View Hotel, Makurdi, Benue state, Water Sanitation and Hygiene (WASH) Specialist, Rebecca Bolatito Gabriel, reminded stakeholders, particularly local government chairmen and traditional rulers of the urgent need to end Open Defecation (OD) in the state.
“The fight to end Open Defecation is a big deal, so water should be provided in the communities, and lands should be made available for the construction of toilets, especially for the vulnerable households to control indiscriminate passing of faeces” she said.
Mrs. Gabriel further appealed for in-depth commitment from the government, by drilling more boreholes that will not just be situated in one spot but will be spread across the communities for easy accessibility by the people.
The Commissioner, Water Resources, Environment and Climate Change, Hon Odoh Ugwu, in his remark stated that, Benue through BERWASSA and partners was trying hard to stamp out open Defecation in the state and has also recorded a great feat as the first state to attain ODF in the North Central Zone as it currently has 11 ODF LGAs, with Vandeikya and Ushongo also on the map of ODF.
Hon. Ugwu who was represented by the covering Permanent Secretary, Mr Thomas AkaaNyam said, the TBOs conference was a major milestone to push for the implementation of SDGs 6.2 which is achieving access to adequate and equitable Sanitation and hygiene for all.
He appreciated UNICEF and the state government for their unflinching support in the fight; and Toilet Business Owners for their crucial role as partners in helping to actualize latrine uptake in the state.
On his part, General Manager, Benue State Rural Water Supply and Sanitation Agency (BERWASSA), Mr. Tony Mkpen said, the main aim for the conference was to deliberate on activities in areas of successes and challenges, to design feasible ways of achieving the set goals for the performance of TBOs, and equally maintain its sustainability.
He also commended the government of Benue state, UNICEF, TBOs, Micro Finance Banks among other partners for the tremendous moral and financial support given throughout the course.
Also speaking on behalf of other key stakeholders, representative of, Oju Local Government chairman, Dr. Emmanuel Oko observed that, too much tax and cultural beliefs were posing challenges to usage of some of the toilets and sued for advocacy visit to traditional leaders for more awareness creation. He also pledged a million Naira on behalf of each local government as part of the support for TBOs.
The Director, Rural Water Supply, Sanitation and Hydrogeology, Mrs. Linda Igbudu promised that land acquisition will attract less administrative procedures and announced the provision of 36 motorized boreholes, review policy and regulations on water law will be made, such as upgrading WASH unit to Department among others as their support to TBOs and the state at large.
On his part, Ter Makurdi, His Royal Highness, Vincent Aule, represented by the Wurukum Kindred Head, Chief Simon Ugondo, commended the government and organizers of the event for working assiduously to ensure that Benue is completely declared ODF. He promised to support the project at the community level.
The conference also approved the formation of technical groups to identify preferred toilet types and why, state challenges among other issues to enable inclusive assessments for a holistic intervention and results.
The theme of the two-day conference is Accelerating Sanitation for all: The Role of TBOS.
