UNICEF, Katsina expends N1bn on sanitation

The United Nations International Children Education Fund (UNICEF) and Katsina State government have expended about 1 billion naira to address issues on sanitation, hygiene and water in communities across the state.
Speaking during the presentation of certificate to 174 communities for attaining Open Defecation Free status, Governor Aminu Masari reaffirmed his administration’s commitment towards sustaining the crusade.
He said proper and effective use of public utilities like toilets must be adhered to by all and sundry to improve health and fast track development.
In her remarks, the chief field officer of UNICEF, Katsina/Kano field office Padmavathi Yedla said simple and safe practices like hand washing before and after using toilets could go a long way in addressing issues that had cost huge resources to address.
Similarly, 51 communities in Aguata Local Government Area of Anambra State were also certified Open Defecation Free by UNICEF.
A Water Sanitation and Hygiene (WASH) specialist, Anom Saaondo, made the disclosure on behalf of UNICEF, at the Open Defecation Free programme in Ekwulobia organized by the state government in collaboration with UNICEF and European Union.
Saaondo said that the communities met the basic requirements to be certified ODF communities out of the 224 WASH communities, while 122 communities in the area are left.
He urged the certified communities to keep improving on hygiene and sanitation as they are leading in both the state and Nigeria in general.
While commending Governor Willie Obiano, for the prompt payment of the state’s counterpart funds, Saaondo revealed that only the state has paid the N24million counterpart fund among all other states assisted by EU/UNICEF.
He said the objectives were to ensure that every village, community, local government and state across the federation attain the open defecation free status before the year 2025.
In his welcome address, the Executive Chairman/Head of Local Government Administration of the Council, Jideani Robert, said the certified communities were monitored, mentored and followed up by WASH Unit for compliance.
Jideani, who was represented by a national community-led total sanitation facilitator, Comrade Gabriel Obienyem, said the monitoring is in batches, challenging the remaining communities to sustain their ODF status claims by constant follow up.