By Polycarp Auta, News Agency of Nigeria (NAN)
The 2006 National Population Census puts the population of Plateau State at over 3.2 million, with male constituting 50.1 per cent and female 49.9 per cent.
As at that time, only 45 per cent of the population had access to safe water, while 26.9 per cent could access improved sanitation.
Between 2006 and 2018, the state’s population rose to over 4.5 million, while over 2.1 million of the population lacked access to safe drinking water.
The Plateau Government in collaboration with UNICEF and European Union (EU) had been collaborating to redress the situation.
The Goal Sixth of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) commits the world to ensure that everyone, that is, 100 per cent of the population accesses safe water by 2030.
Gov. Simon Lalong, at the 2019 World Water Day celebration, reiterated the commitment of Plateau Government to boost access to safe water and promote sanitation and hygiene in the state.
He said that the government had stepped up water supply from 32 per cent to 38 per cent.
“In view of the importance of access to clean water to our citizenry, government has continued to sustain her support to the sector, realising that it is the common cause of most communicable diseases in our environment.
“Through our renewed effort, we have increased from 32 per cent to 38 per cent of our total population who now have access to water, sanitation and hygiene.
“We have acquired essential water treatment chemicals at the cost of over N1 billion, which resulted in the improved quality of water supply to our teeming populace.
“As further demonstration of government’s commitment to this sector, our administration released counterpart contributions to the tune of N550 million for water supply and sanitation service in Riyom and Shendam local government areas, as pilot scheme for the EU-UNICEF supported programme.”
The governor noted that the outcome of the interventions put in place by his administration in the water sector, has earned the state a national recognition as one of the top six states with the most improved quality water supply.
He also charged farmers to embrace modern farming practice being advocated through the various agricultural agencies to enhance good water conservation
“It is important to note that the society in which we live has to be sustained and improved for the good of all.
“Fresh water contributes a lot in keeping our families healthy, because the healthier people become, the more holistic development of our society is guaranteed.”
The EU-UNICEF supported projects, constructed 665 hand pump boreholes in communities and 132 Ventilated Improved Pit (VIP) latrines in some primary schools in Shendam and Riyom local government areas.
Under the project carried out in three phases, 10 solar powered motorised boreholes were constructed in some of the communities in the two local government areas.
Mr George Bekinbo, UNICEF’s Water, Sanitation and Hygiene (WASH) consultant in Plateau, said the facilities were provided under the European Union Supported Water Supply and Sanitation Sector Reform Programme (WSSSRP) III.
He said that the project was aimed at enhancing child survival and development through sustainable access to water, sanitation and hygiene services.
“This project being implemented by the UNICEF, supported by the EU, is basically to enhance child survival and development through sustainable access to water, sanitation and hygiene services in communities.
“It is being implemented in Adamawa, Ekiti and Plateau states. Here in Plateau, we are working in various communities in Shendam and Riyom local councils. And just recently, Kanam was added as one of the focal LGAs.
“We have signed a memorandum of understanding with Plateau Government to provide these facilities with the aim of promoting access to clean water, sanitation and hygiene in the two localities.
The consultant explained that 74 mechanics were trained in order to ensure proper maintenance and repairs of the boreholes in case of any break down.
Bekinbo called on the state government to intensify efforts in remitting its counterpart funds so as to enable the project spread to other localities in the state
The consultant noted that each community has a committee saddled with the responsibility of ensuring that facilities provided were protected.
“The communities play key role in sustaining the facilities provided to them and the onus of maintaining them rest on their shoulders.
“This is why we have Water, Sanitation and Hygiene Committees in each of the community that takes charge of the maintenance of the facilities provided.”
Some of the communities in the two localities benefiting from the projects include: Daragi, Bangai, Ganawuri, Kwi, Bachit, among others in Riyom; while Bunu, Pajak, Ampia, Lu-Tinhen, Dase and China Rumbou, among others, in Shendam.
Similarly, a faith-based organisation, Transfer of Appropriate Technology and Expertise (TASTE), constructed a motorised borehole, one overhead tank and four VIP latrines in Bakin Kande community of Quan’pan Local Government Area, as part of efforts to ensure free access to clean and potable water for consumption and domestic use.
The organisation also constructed five motorised boreholes, overhead tanks, and 20 VIP latrines and provided generators for five communities in Kadarko district of Wase Local Government Area.
Mr Nuhu Yakubu, the Country Director of the organisation, said the gesture would not only to address the challenge of accessing clean water in those communities, but would promote and improve the health needs of the people.
Yakubu said that the gesture, particularly aimed at supporting communities to access potable water and to promote personal hygiene.
In the same vein, Justice Development and Peace Commission (JDPC), an NGO of the Catholic Archdiocese of Jos, constructed 10 VIP latrines and two wells for the Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs), taking refuge at Ban community in Hiepang, Barkin Ladi Local Government Area of Plateau.
Mrs Benedicta Daber, JDPC Coordinator, who spoke at the inauguration of the project, said that the gesture was in line with its Water Sanitation and Hygiene (WASH), initiative.
Daber said that the gesture was prompted by the desire to improve sanitation and hygiene at IDPs camps in the state, and also make potable water accessible to the IDPs.
She explained that the gesture was facilitated by the Emergency Preparedness and Response Team (EPRT) department of the organization, with support from Catholic Agency for Overseas Development (CAFOD).
“What we are doing today is our own way of ameliorating your sufferings; we believe it will cushion the effects of the attacks that made you left your places of abode.
“We decided to make these facilities available to enable you promote sanitation and hygiene, even as you temporarily stay here.
“This might not be enough, but it is our little way of saying we also share in the pains you are currently passing through,” Daber said.
Analysts say with collaboration by stakeholders, potable water will soon be available to majority of Plateau people. They want the state government to continue to pay its counterpart funds for Water, Sanitation and Hygiene (WASH) projects. This will sustain the tempo in making potable water available to the vast majority of the people.
