By Excellence Oseose
The Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA) has commenced the construction of Water, Sanitation and Hygiene (WASH) facilities at the Primary Health Care (PHC) Centre in Ketti, Abuja Municipal Area Council (AMAC), as part of efforts to improve healthcare conditions in rural communities.
The Head of the FCT Civil Service, Mrs Nancy Sabanti Nathan, flagged off the project at the Ketti PHC in Kabusa Ward, with the intervention expected to provide safer water, improved sanitation and better hygiene services for patients, health workers and residents.
Representing Nathan, the Director, Reforms Coordination and Service Improvement, Dr Jummai Ahmadu, described the groundbreaking as a key project management milestone and a demonstration of the FCT Administration’s commitment to delivering the intervention.
Ahmadu stressed the importance of community ownership, saying the sustainability of the facilities would depend largely on beneficiaries protecting and properly maintaining them.
She noted that the participation of traditional rulers, women, youths and other community stakeholders would help ensure that the facilities remained functional and served their intended purpose.
The project is being implemented by the FCT Rural Water Supply and Sanitation Directorate (FCT RUWASSA) in collaboration with UNICEF and China Exim Bank to strengthen WASH services in beneficiary communities across the FCT.
The Director of FCT RUWASSA, Dr Joyce Chinyere Echoke, represented the Permanent Secretary, FCT Common Services, Rotimi Ajayi, at the ceremony.
Also, the Acting Executive Secretary of the FCT Primary Health Care Board, Dr Dan Gadzama, represented by the WASH Desk Officer, Jessica Dazang, pledged continued efforts to improve WASH facilities across PHCs in the territory.
The District Head of Ketti, Chief Joshua Alex Akata, commended the FCTA and its development partners for the intervention, saying it would improve the healthcare environment and living conditions of residents.
Akata, however, appealed to the FCTA to consider renovating the Ketti PHC after completing the WASH facilities to further improve healthcare delivery.
He assured the project team that the Ketti community would take ownership of the facilities and ensure their protection and maintenance.
UNICEF representative, Engr. Effiong Efiyad, said the project would be closely monitored to ensure compliance with approved standards and specifications.
He said particular attention would be paid to making the water and sanitation infrastructure climate-resilient and sustainable, with facilities designed to remain functional throughout the year.
The intervention is expected to strengthen access to safe water, adequate sanitation and improved hygiene services while creating a healthier environment for patients, health workers and surrounding communities.
