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Urges stakeholders to increase budget allocations for WASH,
From Charity Nwakaudu, Abuja
The Minister of Water Resources and Sanitation, Prof. Joseph Terlumun Utsev, has reaffirmed the federal government’s unwavering support for state-led efforts to improve Water, Sanitation, and Hygiene (WASH) services as part of the national drive to end open defecation by 2030.
This is contained in a statement released by the minister’s Director of Information and Public Relations, Mrs Funmi Imuetinyan.
According to the statement, the commitment was demonstrated in Kano State, where 20 of the 26 Local Government Areas (LGAs) that had attained Open Defecation Free (ODF) status were formally awarded ODF certificates.
The minister, who was represented by the ministry’s Permanent Secretary, Mr. Richard Pheelangwah, lauded the Kano State Government for its commitment, which has positioned it among the top-performing states in Nigeria’s sanitation sector.
He highlighted key national milestones of the Clean Nigeria Campaign, including the reconstitution of its Steering Committee, the launch of a revised 2025–2030 strategy, declaration of 148 LGAs as ODF, creation of a real-time monitoring web portal, and ongoing high-level advocacy with religious and traditional leaders, and other planned engagements.
The minister assured that under the Renewed Hope Agenda of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR, the federal government remains steadfast in its commitment to supporting sub-national governments to end open defecation by 2030.
Prof. Utsev urged stakeholders to increase budget allocations for WASH, promote community ownership, and drive behavioural change through effective communication.
He emphasised the vital role of traditional institutions in mobilising rural communities and highlighted the importance of working through Local Government WASH Units and community structures like WASHCOMs to achieve and sustain Open Defecation Free (ODF) outcomes.
“With 26 LGAs attaining ODF status, Kano State has demonstrated what is possible through strategic collaboration and strong community engagement,” the minister stated.
He acknowledged the vital role of development partners such as UNICEF, WaterAid, Self Help Africa, SATO, and NEWSAN, in providing technical and financial assistance that has accelerated sanitation across the country.
In his remarks, the Kano State governor, Abba Kabir Yusuf, expressed pride in the state’s sanitation progress, announcing that 26 out of 44 Local Government Areas (LGAs) have been certified Open Defecation Free (ODF).
The governor, who was represented by his deputy, Comrade Aminu Gwarzo, highlighted open defecation as a serious public health threat and applauded the collective efforts of stakeholders, including UNICEF, the Federal Ministry of Water Resources, and other partners, for supporting the Community-Led Total Sanitation (CLTS) approach.
The event concluded with the formal presentation of ODF certificates to the qualified LGAs in Kano State, and the presentation of the ODF Great Achievers award to the Governor.