By Matthew Okon
Sixty-seven communities across the 10 wards of Kwali Area Council are undergoing assessment for Open Defecation Free (ODF) certification as the FCT Rural Water Supply and Sanitation Directorate (RUWASSA) and its partners intensify efforts to improve sanitation and hygiene in the territory.
The exercise, led by FCT RUWASSA in collaboration with UNICEF, China-Exim Bank, Kwali Area Council and other stakeholders, is aimed at verifying sanitation practices and determining whether communities have met the requirements for ODF status.
The Director, FCT RUWASSA, Dr. (Mrs.) Joyce Chinyere Echoke, said the exercise was being conducted in line with the national protocol for ending open defecation and Executive Order 009 of 2019.
Represented by the Deputy Director, Department of Water Quality, Monitoring and Analysis, Mr. Danladi Katampe, she stressed the importance of sustained collaboration among stakeholders, noting that the certification process formed part of broader efforts to achieve Nigeria’s 2030 target of ending open defecation.
According to her, the initiative, supported by the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF), seeks to ensure that communities adopt and sustain improved sanitation and hygiene practices.
As part of the exercise, the stakeholder team visited Dangara, Gangare and Koroko communities, where it assessed the availability and use of toilets, sanitation practices, hygiene conditions and other indicators required for ODF certification.
The team also inspected WASH facilities and projects in the communities to determine their functionality, standard and impact on beneficiaries.
The assessment covers facilities in households, schools, markets and healthcare centres, with the stakeholders expected to use the findings to determine the progress made by the communities towards attaining and sustaining ODF status.
Other members of the inspection team included UNICEF WASH Specialist, Chisom Adimorah; UNICEF Team Lead, Mrs. Aisha Bakpet; Kwali Area Council WASH Coordinator, Mrs. Amina Dada; and Site Engineer, Engr. Maikaho Ayuba of SANTALI Technology Solutions Ltd.
Abuja Times reports that the exercise is part of ongoing efforts by FCT RUWASSA and its partners to strengthen sanitation systems, expand access to water, sanitation and hygiene services, and eliminate open defecation across communities in the Federal Capital Territory.
