In line with the Federal Government’s Clean Nigeria Campaign, Borno state Government says it has trained 2,600 Youths in 25 local government as volunteers to create awareness against open defecation and importance of constructing toilets.
The General Manager, Rural Water Supply and Sanitation Agency (RUWASSA), Borno State Dr. Mohammed Aliyu stated this in an address at a Media Dialogue to commemorate the 2021 World Toilet Day in Maiduguri on Thursday.
The dialogue was organized by the Child Rights Information Bureau (CRIB) of the federal ministry of information and culture in collaboration with United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF).
Speaking the RUWASSA Boss said Governor Babagana Umara Zulum through the Agency was able to train and engage 100 youths from each L.G.A. apart Gwoza making 2,600 youths as volunteers to create awareness against open defecation.
Other Intervention programmes he identified include; Construction of “more than 100 boreholes stretching all the aquifers across the state and rehabilitated more than 200 boreholes across state.
“Areas with historic challenges of water supply like Mafa, Pulka and Jakana were provided with sustainable water supply by the Borno state government”.
“In collaboration with partners especially UNICEF, AAH, IOM, SI and GEPADC etc. were able to drill and rehabilitate several boreholes and toilets across the state”.
“With support from UNICEF RUWASSA was able to extend water reticulation to more communities in Pulka”.
According to him, “136,712 people have abandoned open defecation and are currently living in communities certified Open Defecation free in Biu, Shani and Bayo LGAs.
He said government has also implemented Community- Led Total Sanitation, CLTS in Konduga, Bama, Mafa, BIU, Bayo, and Shani L.G.As.
“66,570 people have gained access to safe sanitation facilities through construction/rehabilitation and improvement of household latrines under the Community-Led Total Sanitation.
“18,816 household latrines were constructed and put to use under the Community-Led Total Sanitation.
“Promotion of improved technology options through sanitation marketing led to construction of 13000 “Safe Toilet” (SATO PAN)”
Reinstating government commitment to ending open defecation by year 2025, Dr. Aliyu said UNICEF has been supporting the agency in achieving it’s dreams.
“In 2021 Wash sector partners constructed and rehabilitated 37,761 emergency and household latrines in IDP camps and host communities reducing open defection practices.
“From 2015 to 2021 Borno RUWASSA with support from UNICEF constructed/ rehabilitated 17,406 emergency latrines in IDP camps and host communities
“90 latrines in 38 schools and 50 latrines in 15 health center’s were provided.” according to RUWASSA Boss.
