WaterAid Provides Clean Water, Sanitation Facilities to Communities in Enugu State
25 September 2024; Nigeria
WaterAid Nigeria is handing over water and sanitation facilities to communities in Enugu State as part of a 5-year intervention titled Strengthening Water and Sanitation Delivery Project, supported by The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints. This initiative aims to provide access to water supply and sanitation facilities in select communities while strengthening Water Sanitation and Hygiene (WASH) institutions for improved and sustainable WASH service delivery across the state.
The project is in its third year. In the first two years, about 5,000 people (4,930) were provided access to clean water close to their homes, while 1500 people gained access to improved sanitation.
The facilities being commissioned today will provide water to 5,500 people and sanitation to 1,500 people in Mboshi-Aji community and Eke Ozzi Market, both located in Igbo Eze North LGA. Among these is a motorized borehole with a 20,000-litre storage capacity, powered by a 25 kVA soundproof generator, situated in Mboshi-Aji. Additionally, two blocks of female-friendly toilets and a solar-powered motorized borehole will be commissioned at Eke Ozzi Market. Each toilet block has four compartments designed to be accessible for people with disabilities (PWDs) and addresses the needs of women, particularly in managing their periods.
This achievement was made possible through our collaboration with key partners, including Enugu State Small Town Water and Sanitation Agency (ENSTOWA), Enugu State Rural Water Supply and Sanitation Agency (EN-RUWASSA), the Office of the SPA to the Governor on Donor Relations, the South Saharan Social Development Organisation (SSDO), the Network of Water Rights Initiatives (NEWARI), and other civil society organizations (CSOs).
Evelyn Mere, Country Director of WaterAid Nigeria, said:
“Today, as these projects are commissioned, it is important to note that every aspect of this project aligns with the Enugu State Governor’s Executive Order 006 and WaterAid's vision, which seeks to ensure that every community has access to clean water, decent toilets, and improved hygiene services. The benefits of the project go beyond infrastructural development. It is about transforming lives, improving health, fostering economic growth, and restoring dignity. Access to clean water, safe toilets, and proper hygiene is not just a basic need—it is a fundamental human right.”
/ENDS
For more information, please contact:
Zainab Mukhtar, Communications Officer, WaterAid Nigeria
[email protected], +234 707 115 8421
Notes to Editors:
WaterAid
WaterAid is working to make clean water, decent toilets and good hygiene normal for everyone, everywhere within a generation. The international not-for-profit organisation works in 28 countries to change the lives of the poorest and most marginalised people. Since 1981, WaterAid has reached 27 million people with clean water and 27 million people with decent toilets.
For more information, visit www.wateraid.org, www.wateraid.org/nigeria; follow @WaterAidNigeria, @WaterAid or @WaterAidPress on Twitter, or visit us on Facebook at www.facebook.com/wateraid, www.facebook.com/wateraidnigeria, www.facebook.com/wateraidnigeria
* In Nigeria:
- Only 10% of the population has access to basic water, sanitation, and hygiene services.
- 68 million people (33% of the population) lack access to basic drinking water services.
- 113 million people (55% of the population) lack decent toilets.
- 48 million people (23% of the population) practice open defecation.
- 171 million people (83% of the population) lack basic handwashing facilities.
- Only 11% of schools have access to basic water, sanitation, and hygiene services.
- Only 6% of healthcare facilities have access to basic water, sanitation, and hygiene services.
- Only 4% of parks and markets have access to basic water, sanitation, and hygiene services.
