By Stanley Onyekwere
The Director, FCT Rural Water Supply and Sanitation Directorate (RUWASSA), Dr. (Mrs.) Joyce Chinyere Echoke commissioned a gender-friendly public toilet facility at Kwaita Community in Kwali Area Council, Abuja.
The Director was represented at the commissioning ceremony by the Head of Department, Water Quality, Monitoring and Analysis, Mr. Danladi Umar Katampe, who officially commissioned the facility on her behalf.
It was gathered that the facility is designed to provide safe, accessible and dignified sanitation services to members of the community, with consideration for the needs of both women and men.
Also, the project is aimed at promoting improved sanitation, hygiene, and the elimination of open defecation in line with executive order 009.
“The Honourable Minister of the FCT is making significant efforts to eliminate open defecation across the Territory.
“These efforts include the provision of public toilets at selected locations and the implementation of other interventions aimed at improving access to safe and hygienic sanitation facilities,” the director stated.
Speaking during the commissioning, Mr. Katampe emphasized the importance of proper sanitation and responsible use and maintenance of the facility.
He called on residents of Kwaita Community to take ownership of the project and ensure that it remains clean, functional, and accessible to all.
On his part, Chairman, Kwali Area Council, Hon. Nuhu Daniel, appreciated FCT RUWASSA, WaterAid Nigeria, Foundation for Sanitation Improvement (FSI) and Black Pelican Limited for the laudable project.
He assured the partners of the Council’s continued support towards ending open defecation in the area.
The Chairman also demonstrated his commitment to the sustainability of the project by supporting the co-operative society with a new generator to facilitate the effective management and continued operation of the facility.
In her remarks, the Country Director of WaterAid Nigeria, Evelyn Mere, who was represented by the Head of Programme, Mr. Napet Chuktu, called on the community and partners to work together to strengthen the systems required to keep the facility functional and sustainable in the years ahead.
He noted that the project would provide local people with the necessary skills, structures and sense of ownership to manage the facility effectively.
He particularly highlighted the significant role of women in the sustainability of development projects, stressing that sustainable development is stronger when women are actively involved in decision-making.
The commissioning of the gender-friendly public toilet facility demonstrates FCT RUWASSA’s continued commitment to improving access to safe sanitation and hygiene facilities across rural and peri-urban communities in the Federal Capital Territory.
The Director stated that the FCT is working towards declaring Kwali Area Council Open Defecation Free (ODF) by the 4th quarter of 2026.
END
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