Writing By Daniel Karlmax , Editing By Godwin Duru
Kaduna State Government has reaffirmed its commitment to rural transformation through sustainable water management and sanitation across the state.
The Director General of the Kaduna State Rural Water Supply and Sanitation Agency RUWASSA, Engineer Mubarak Shehu Ladan, made this known during an inspection visit and the official handover of Water, Sanitation, and Hygiene, WASH facilities to eight communities in Soba and Sabon Gari Local Government Areas of Kaduna State.
The RUWASSA DG explained that the initiative was part of the state government’s efforts toward rural transformation by ensuring access to clean drinking water and sanitation, in line with achieving the Sustainable Development Goals, SDGs by 2030.
He said the WASH facilities, which included modern toilets and solar-motorized boreholes, were designed to promote hygiene and curb the spread of water-related diseases, thereby improving the well-being of the people.
Engr. Shehu Ladan urged the benefiting communities to take ownership of the facilities and ensure their sustainability to justify the significant investment made.
“We’ve had a satisfactory visit, honestly, because all the sites we visited are in good condition. This is evident from the testimony of the people using the facilities. Some mentioned that before the construction of these facilities, they had to walk several kilometers to fetch water. But now, they have access to clean water through these installations.
“Their role is to ensure proper usage and monitoring of the facilities to prevent vandalism and theft. Proper monitoring by the caretakers is crucial.
“They should also consider themselves fortunate, as many other institutions and communities are in dire need of such interventions, yet they were among the selected beneficiaries,” he said.
On his part, the Chairman of Soba Local Government, Muhammad Lawal Shehu, commended RUWASSA for the effort and expressed his commitment to achieving an open defecation-free status in the area.
He pledged to support the initiative to ensure its sustainability for socioeconomic growth and development.
During the inspection visit, WASH coordinators in Sabon Gari and Soba LGAs, Hajia Bilkisu and Ralia Tabiu, highlighted some of the projects in their areas and appealed for further interventions to improve public health.
“So far, we have four projects in different locations in Sabon Gari Local Government: one at Dogarawa Health Clinic, one in Ungwan Rimi under Basawa Ward, and two in Kwakwara Manu—one at the LGA and the other at a Primary Health Centre. These include six sanitation facilities and motorized boreholes.
“In Soba Local Government, SUR-WASH has benefited 30 communities across the 11 wards with the provision of solar motorized boreholes. We hope for more interventions to uplift the health status of people in Soba,” they said.
Some of the beneficiaries, including Mr. Dunu Watce Gadzama, Head Teacher of Kussalo Primary School; Mrs. Hauwa’u Tum, Officer-in-Charge of the Angwan Rimi Health Care Facility in Basawa Ward; and Danladi Maigana, expressed their appreciation to RUWASSA and pledged to take full ownership of the facilities.
They testified that the facilities have benefited not only them but thousands of other community members, especially during period of water scarcity.
“We are grateful to the Kaduna State Government and RUWASSA for providing water. Teachers, pupils, and community members are all benefiting from it,” said Mr. Gadzama.
“This is the first of its kind in this area,” added Mrs. Tum. “We never expected this kind of intervention. Now, patients, staff, and community members who were suffering due to lack of water are all benefiting.”
The benefiting communities include Wanka, Kussalo, Maigana, Ungwan Rimi, Bomo, and Kwakwara Manu, among others, covering selected schools and healthcare facilities in Soba and Sabon Gari LGAs of Kaduna State.
Daniel Karlmax
