From Juliana Taiwo-Obalonye, Abuja
The Federal Government has resolved to boost Water, Sanitation, Hygiene (WASH) in the country.
Clean Nigeria Steering Committee chaired by Vice President Yemi Osinbajo, gave the approval in an ongoing efforts to end open defecation in Nigeria by 2025.
A statement by vice president’s spokesman, Laolu Akande, said the virtual meeting of the committee presided over by Osinbajo, approved prayers contained in the “Clean Nigeria: Use the Toilet Campaign,” 2022 mid-year report.
Minister of Water Resources, Suleiman Adamu, had, earlier in a presentation on the ongoing Clean Nigeria campaign, noted slow advancement in the finalisation and roll out of the Tax Credit Scheme and Blue Bond Programme as part of challenges affecting the country-wide campaign.
The steering committee approved support strong advocacy to policy makers at sub-national level for prioritisation and funding of campaign implementation.
“Support strong advocacy on public private partnership for sanitation services improvement in public places
“Support of Federal Ministry of Finance, Budget and National Planning on the finalisation of the issuance of the Blue Bond
“Support of Federal Ministry of Justice, Federal Ministry of Finance and the Federal Inland Revenue Service on the finalisation of Tax Credit Scheme under the Executive Order 009
“Federal Ministries of Education, Environment and Health to accelerate the initiative of schools WASH and health WASH programme towards improving access to sanitation and hygiene facilities in schools and healthcare centres
“Members of steering committee to champion the delivery of their respective councils as open defecation free in collaboration with the Clean Nigeria Campaign Secretariat.”
Osinbajo said the recommendations “capture where the gaps are and the sort of support required.”
“I think we are making steady progress but there is need for us to do a bit more because only 18 per cent of our people have access to water, sanitation and hygiene in public places,” noting that performances in schools and public places must improve.
He called on stakeholders “to do more with our sub-nationals. The states hold the aces to make the required efforts to make substantial progress. The fact that more states have Open Defecation Free status means we are on course.”