WaterAid and DP World set to provide clean water in Bauchi state

By Suzan Edeh, Bauchi

WaterAid Nigeria with funding support from global supply chains logistics provider DP World is launching a project targeted at improving public health outcomes in Bauchi State through sustainable climate-resilient water, sanitation and hygiene (WASH).

This was contained in a press statement by WaterAid Country Director ,Evelyn Mere, Director of WaterAid Nigeria, in which copies were made available to newsmen.

The project will reach over 15,000 people and will benefit women and girls in particular, as they bear the brunt of walking miles in search of these life-saving services.

Interventions will include the construction of three solar-powered boreholes and one sanitation facility in public places within selected communities, training of artisans on the maintenance of water facilities and capacity building of WASH committees in the communities to support the operation, maintenance and management of the boreholes.

In addition, WaterAid will embark on hygiene behaviour change interventions to encourage the adoption of practices such as regular handwashing and the use of toilets, to complement the water service delivery. These interventions will be delivered using a gender-responsive and system-strengthening approach, ensuring that the local community and government can run the project sustainably.

With a projected population of about 6,537,314 according to the National Bureau of Statistics (2017), Bauchi State is the fifth largest state in terms of land mass, and the seventh most populous state in Nigeria. However, according to the Water Sanitation and Hygiene National Outcome Routine Mapping (WASHNORM) survey for 2021, only a combined 18% of the population in the state has access to basic water and hygiene services, while 21% still practise open defecation. Also, at household levels, 74% of the water consumed in the state is contaminated with e-coli from the source.

“Bauchi is a focal state for WaterAid over the next five years, and we hope to keep working with the government and our partners to ensure more people within the state have access to clean water, decent toilets and good hygiene. In the face of climate change, access to water is becoming increasingly difficult and this has huge implications for health, nutrition, gender equity and economic productivity.

“We deeply appreciate the support of DP World in helping us to reach even more people with clean water, decent toilets and good hygiene. These essential services help change lives, especially for women and girls, who bear a huge burden of searching for water, missing out on more productive activities such as education and business.

”With the support of DP World, WaterAid will work with the community to construct three solar-powered boreholes and one sanitation facility in public places; train artisans on the maintenance of water facilities; and educate WASH committees on how to support the operation and maintain and manage boreholes.

“Critically, the programme also integrates hygiene behaviour change interventions that demonstrate the importance of adopting regular handwashing practices and the use of toilets. The project focuses on the economic empowerment of women, engaging them as kiosk managers and activities decision-makers for the new water schemes.

“With access to resilient-WASH facilities, lives aren’t thrown into uncertainty during extreme weather hazards and communities are better equipped to combat infection so they can continue to thrive. The campaign comes on the back of WaterAid and DP World’s current project in Mozambique where together we are bringing life-saving clean water, sanitation and hygiene to 10,000 people in Cuamba District. The Country Director of WaterAid Nigeria said

Maha AlQattan, Group Chief Sustainability Officer, DP World, reflects on the expansion, saying “At DP World, we aim to make a difference in the communities where we operate. In Mozambique, we are working alongside WaterAid to advance community wellbeing and environmental sustainability.

“Now, we are expanding our support to Nigeria, to reach thousands more people with water services, enhancing good hygiene and improving sanitation, ensuring resilient progress in the face of climate challenges. Our commitment is to not only construct solar-powered water facilities and public toilets but also empower local women and youngsters to help foster sustainable communities.”