Yemisi Dada
The Lagos State government has been challenged to maintain and sustain Water, Sanitation and Hygiene, WASH, facilities provided by an NGO WaterAid Nigeria in Ojodu and Ikorodu North LCDAs, as well as use the model as standard in government interventions for other council areas.
WaterAid Nigeria Country Director, Ms Evelyn Mere, threw the challenge at the close-out ceremony of Integrated Hygiene and Health, I-HHP, project in Lagos in collaboration with Kimberly Clark.
The Country Director, who was represented by WaterAid Nigeria Head of Advocacy, Policy and Communications, Mr Kolawole Banwo, emphasized that WaterAid interventions act as influencers for government to do the right thing in ensuring highest standards of hygiene and sanitation in the state in line with global best practices.
“Stakeholders should stop asking for more like Oliver twist, what WaterAid has provided should be used as a model of standard which is inclusive and government should use its funds to replicate such as not waiting for WaterAid or other NGO to be doing more interventions in the state, it is the sole responsibility of the government, what WaterAid has done is to show government it is doable and the standard should be followed and maintained in line with international standards.”
The Project Manager, Mrs Grace Uwadiale, who noted that WaterAid Nigeria has also build capacity of relevant personnel in different agencies Ministries, urged the beneficiary LCDAs and other stakeholders’ to cascade the knowledge gained to those at the grassroots to promote the five key hygiene behaviours, which will subsequently reduce spread of infections and diseases.
While reeling out the success stories and challenges of the project, Mrs Uwadiale said two Primary Health Centers in Ojodu and Ikorodu North were rehabilitated to standards with solar powered borehole and fifteen thousand litres water tanks in each LCDA to cater for the needs of residents using the facilities, with a call on relevant authorities to replicate such projects in other locations.
“Our interventions have impacted over thirty thousand pregnant women and others in the two LCDAs, we urged them to maintain and sustain the facilities as well as replicate such standards in other PHCs in their local government.
“We also appeal to the media to give WaterAid more visibility by reporting our activities and interventions in communities and promote the five key hygiene behaviours campaigns so that it becomes an household campaign to drive home the messages more for improve healthcare and hygiene practices at the grassroots.”
Representatives of the Lagos State Primary Health Care Board, Ministry of the Environment and Water Resources, Ojodu and Ikorodu North LCDA, who are direct beneficiaries commended WaterAid Nigeria for the numerous WASH interventions which have impacted thousands of lives positively.
Chairman Community Development Committee Ikorodu North LCDA Prince Adeniran Ogunbanwo said, “We are deeply grateful to Kimberly Clark and WaterAid Nigeria for their unwavering
commitment and dedication to improving access to clean water, sanitation, and hygiene in our community and beyond. Their impactful water projects have brought about positive change in numerous communities, transforming lives and promoting better health outcomes for all.
“This renovated Primary Health Care, equipped with state-of-the-art medical equipment, will no doubt enhance our healthcare services and improve the quality of care provided to our residents. It is a testament to the power of collaboration and collective effort in fostering community development and sustainable progress.”
His counterpart in Ojodu LCDA, Pastor Segun Fayemi, appreciated WaterAid and Kimberly Clark for their interventions in the LCDA and promised that the LCDA chairman will replicate WaterAid’s model at Ogba PHC to other areas in the LCDA.
Highpoint of the close-out ceremony was the presentation of award plaque and certificates to the Ministry, LCDA and individuals who went extra length in actualizing some of the success stories and the I-HHP project in the last one year in Lagos.