By; ALEX UANGBAOJE, Kaduna
United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF), Chief of Water, Sanitation and Hygiene (WASH), Dr. Jane Bevan paid an impact assessment visit to Kaduna State.
The Chief who visited some UNICEF supported facilities in some communities in Kudan and Igabi LGAs, also paid a courtesy call on the Deputy Governor, Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, and Chairman Igabi LGA who also doubles as Association of Local Government of Nigeria (ALGON), Chairperson in the state.
Speaking at different points of her meetings, Dr. Bevan, commended the state government for its investments and commitment in the WASH sector which has led 7 LGAs the state to attain Open Defecation Free (ODF) status, pledging UNICEF’s continuous support to at ensuring all the 23 LGAs achieve the ODF status by 2025.
In her response, Kaduna State Deputy Governor, Dr Hadiza Sabuwa Balarabe, who thanked UNICEF for their support, said the state is not leaving any stone unturned to beat the 2025 national deadline for the ODF status attainment.
According to her, the administration of Governor Uba Sani will work to strengthen the existing partnership between the state and UNICEF especially in human capital development, an area which the current administration places very high premium.
On his part, Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, Kaduna State, Hon. Sadiq Mamman Lagos, noted that sustainable development and growth can be achieved through partnership with development organizations such as UNICEF, especially in the WASH sector.
Kudan LGA and the ALGON Chairman, Dr. Shua’ibu Bawa Jaja, said he will do everything within his influence to ensure that other LGAs emulates the Kudan’s model so they can also attain ODF before 2025.
In his remarks, Director General of Kaduna Rural Water Supply and Sanitation Agency (RUWASSA), Engr. Shehu Ladan who accompanied the UNICEF team during the visit, revealed that the state has seven LGAs out of the 104 LGAs so far declared ODF in the country.
According to him, this is a great feat for the state. While thanking UNICEF and other partners for their support, he expressed optimism that the state will meet up with the 2025 deadline for the attainment of ODF.
