Jigawa set to adopt new policy on WASH

From Mika’il Tsoho, Dutse

The Jigawa state government in collaboration with Non Governmental Organisation (NGOs) has come up with new policy on Water Sanitation and Hygiene (WASH).
The state commissioner for water resources Alhaji Ibrahim Garba who was represented by his permanent secretary dropped the hint during an opening of three day session for validation review of Jigawa state Water, Sanitation and Hygiene (WASH) policy and implementation frame work.
He explained that, this is parts of the Jigawa state government effort to achieve Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) in the state.
According to him, the objective of the policy in the sector, is to improve the health and well-being of the people by adopting an integrated approach for ensuring water, sanitazation and hygiene services in a sustainable manner.
“This entails the ensuring equitable access to potable drinking water, sanitation and hygiene services at an affordable manner” he said.
“this policy objective is consisting with the goal and objective of WASH sector outline in the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), National Water and Sanitation Policy, Jigawa State Comprehensive Development Framework (CDF II), Jigawa WASH Bill 2011 and Governor’s budget speech (2017-2019).
Alhaji Garba disclosed further that “Over the last several years Jigawa state has made significant progress in water supply, the 2018 WASH NORM survey shows that 86 percent of household in the state have access to improved source of drinking water through developed surface water and boreholes”.
“This has been achieved through constructions of Solar powered water supply schemes , hand pump boreholes, improvement and rehabilitation works, conversion of existing motorised water supply systems to Solar powered systems”, he emphasis.
He identified high cost of operation and maintenance for existing facilities for urban and small town water schemes, difficulties in adequate water supply in the state capital, lost of water quality and quantity in Dams and Rivers as critical challenges facing in water supply services.