NEWSAN urges govt to increase budgetary allocation to improve water sanitation

From Godwin Agia, Jalingo

The Society for Water and Sanitation (NEWSAN) on Thursday called on the State government to increase budgetary allocation to prioritize and improve water sanitation and hygiene in Taraba State.
Taraba NEWSAN Coordinator, Mr Boniface Koson disclosed this during a one-day Multi-Stakeholder Consultative meeting in Jalingo, which follow up on NEWSAN’s “WASH Charter for Demands” that was signed by some political candidates during the 2023 general elections.
The workshop aimed to leverage the charter to encourage newly elected government leaders to prioritize climate resilient and water sanitation services.
Boniface pointed out that climate change is exacerbating the vulnerability of health systems, stressing that sanitation infrastructure, and leading to the contamination of water sources and the environment, thereby increasing the risk of disease.
The urgency according to him is to underscored by the fact that 48 million Nigerians still engaged in open defecation, and only 8 percent of the population adheres to clean handwashing practices. To combat these challenges and to achieve the Nigeria’s goal is to becoming open defecation-free by 2024.
He emphasized the need for improved public perception, increased political prioritization, adequate funding, and strong policies and institutions.
In the same vein, Engr. Musa Buba Siam, TAWACO Managing Director, represented by the Director in the agency, Engr. Elijah Kunga, reaffirmed the government’s commitment in ensuring universal access to clean water, sanitation facilities and hygiene education, emphasizing the principle of leaving no one behind.
Mr Julius Penda, coordinator for Community Education and Development Initiative Centre, stressed the importance of developing water and sanitation service that are sustainable, safe, and resilience to climate-related risk. These build community resilient and help county adapt to the effects of climate change, he said.