The United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) has reported concerns over the loss of 25% of annual investments in Nigeria’s water and sanitation sector.
This setback is attributed to inadequate operation and maintenance, coupled with infrastructure dysfunction, as revealed at the Nigeria/UNICEF Annual WASH Review Meeting in Abuja.
Dr Jane Bevan, UNICEF’s Chief of Water, Sanitation, and Hygiene (WASH) emphasized the alarming trend observed through critical analysis of WASHNORM and the Sector Wide Sustainability Checks (SWSC).
Mr Olabode Fashoyi, Deputy Director, WASH Collaboration and Partnerships, Federal Ministry of Water Resources and Sanitation, highlighted achievements in 2023, including the establishment of WASH departments in new local government areas and training 1,000 WASH committees for community awareness.
Looking ahead to 2024, initiatives such as water facility operation and maintenance strategy in selected states and new guidelines for drinking water monitoring have been launched.
Mrs Chizoma Opara, National Coordinator of the Clean Nigeria, Use The Toilet Campaign Programme, urged states to intensify efforts in achieving the National Open Defecation Free roadmap. While some states have shown progress, operational funding is crucial for effective monitoring to meet the 2025 target.
