Open defecation: FCT RUWASSA appoints Council’s First Lady as WASH ambassador in Kwali

By Stanley Onyekwere

The Directorate of Rural Water Supply and Sanitation (RUWASSA) in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) has conferred on the first lady of Kwali Area Council, Mrs. Hannatu Danladi Chiya the post of Ambassador of WASH, to fast track the programmes of ending open defecation in the locality, in line with the FCT Administration’s state of emergency target in Water, Sanitation and Hygiene (WASH).
Making this known at a brief ceremony, Executive Director of FCT RUWASSA, Dr. Mohammed Ali Dan-Hassan noted that RUWASSA found in Mrs. Hannatu Chiya a resolute patriot, who is passionate about the development of the locality and the well being of her people, according to a press release signed by Head, Media and Publicity, FCT RUWASSA.
Dan-Hassan also explained that the ending open defecation project in Nigeria, under the guidance of Federal Ministry of Water Resources and Sanitation, was aimed at improving access to basic sanitation and hygiene among citizens in line with Sustainable Development Goals (MDGs) 6.2 of the United Nations.
He added that while it’s hoped that the country would attain Open Defecation Free (ODF) status by the year 2025, each State and FCT is however, expected to have her own Roadmap and strategies of achieving the ODF.
According to him, in the meantime only 105 out of 774 Local Government Areas in the country were verified and certified free from open defecation.
He further clarified that ‘the selection of Kwali as a model for the FCT was on the joint collaboration with our Development Partners (Federal Ministry of Water Resources and sanitation, WaterAid and UNICEF). Hence, the reason why you see the pilot projects taking place here.”
Explaining further on the appointment of wife of the Kwali Area Council Chairman as Ambassador of WASH, the Director said, “this was in recognition of her interest in promoting sanitation and hygiene as well as the role she plays in eradicating open defecation and other diseases associated with that.
“Mrs. Hannatu who is also a renown philanthropist and humanitarian figure is always ready to assist the less privileged people and vulnerable groups, which history and Kwali people will always remember her for pushing the return of monthly general sanitation exercise in the Area Council in her desire to keep Kwali clean.”
Responding, Mrs.Chiya attributed the success to her husband who gave her freedom to work and engage in social activities, unlike some of her colleagues who were not opportune to work as she does.
She promised to extend the campaign to the forum of Wives of Local Governments Chairmen (WALGON).
She adds: “ I wish to call my colleagues in the other Area Councils to emulate and take up the challenge of making their communities habitable and open defecation free.”
Also speaking, the Supervisory Councilor of Environment, Honourable Ibrahim Sani Shuaibu, described Mrs.Chiya as a courageous and resilient woman who surpasses some men as far as family building and social development is concerned.
He particularly recalled her persistent harassments of the Council officials upon noticing a filthy scene around the environment, especially the market side.
According to him, “Each time she sees such a thing, she would in her characteristic manner give me a call, yelling… Shuaibu did you see how dirty so so place is? Better go and pack it up or I will report you.”
He thanked FCT RUWASSA for making the right choice by appointing Kwali’s First Lady as ambassador of WASH, in it’s efforts to end open defecation in the council and FCT in general.