The United Nations Children Emergency Fund (UNICEF), in collaboration with the federal government, has provided assistance to about 3,000 schools in Nigeria in the last five years.
UNICEF chief of water, sanitation and hygiene (WASH), Dr Jane Bevan, disclosed this when she visited the minister of water resources and sanitation, Prof Joseph Utsev, in Abuja.
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She gave insights into the federal government and UNICEF WASH programmes in Nigeria from 2018 to date, noting that the direct and indirect impact of the FGN-UNICEF WASH programme, spans over 250 local government areas (LGAs) directly and approximately 400 LGAs indirectly across 26 states.
Bevan recalled that since 2018, notable achievements in the country include the construction and rehabilitation of over 1,700 solar-powered boreholes, over 10,000 hand pump boreholes, support for ODF local government areas and providing access to safe drinking water sources for an estimated 12 million people.
Additionally, over 24 million people have gained access to basic sanitation services, with approximately 2,000 primary health centres and 3,000 schools equipped with complete WASH facilities.
In his response, the minister reaffirmed the federal government’s dedication to its partnership with UNICEF to enhance the implementation of WASH policies at the grassroots.
Utsev highlighted ongoing consultations with state governments and investors to leverage the WASH sector’s value chain, emphasizing the need for robust collaboration with UNICEF to expand projects to grassroots communities.
He underscored the crucial significance of achieving the Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 2030 targets for WASH projects across Nigeria and ensuring maximum benefits for the populace.
The minister disclosed that preparations were underway for the WASH sustainability check meeting to develop a WASH Action Plan with the commissioners of water resources and sanitation in the 36 states of the federation and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT).