By Remi Johnson
As part of efforts to check water related diseases and promote good hygiene among rural dwellers, Water Aid Nigeria, with funding from the Latter – Day Saints Charity(LDSC) has launched a N133m water project in four communities in Bwari Area Council.
At the launch of the project in Abuja, the Representative of LDSC, Elder Idyo Egbo, said the intervention is targeted at strengthening Water and Sanitation Delivery in Abuja and two communities (Ikorodu and OJodu) in Lagos State.
Elder Egbo said the church decided to fill the gap of poor access to potable water in Abuja and Lagos, following findings that 85% of residents in FCT and 74% of residents in Lagos State do not have access to basic water, sanitation, and hygiene services.
Elder Egbo who listed the benefitting Bwari Area Council communities to include Dakwa, Barangoni, Zuma II and Tudun- Fulani, said the communities were carefully selected with a view to complementing Government’s efforts by filling the gap that exist in water in these areas; which he described as a basic life- saving service.
According to LDSC, the intervention in these four communities, would improve access to clean water, decent toilets and good hygiene practices.
His words ” One of the things noticed by’The Church Of Jesus Christ Latter- Day Saints Charity’ is the gap that exist in water supply, and the church in its Philanthropic nature decided to partner WaterAid to provide water and sanitation to the people in these four communities in Bwari Area Council. We believe in uplifting the lives of the people. Infact, we intend to go into Partnership with other Agencies of Government or NGOs to focus more on Health and Education” Egbo said.
Earlier, in an address of welcome, the Executive Director FCT Rural Water Supply and Sanitation Directorate, (FCT RUWASSA), Dr Mohammed Dan – Hassan who quoted from the Quran and Bible on the need to support the less privileged, commended the church for the intervention, and promised FCT RUWASSA’s readiness to effectively monitor the delivery and maintenance of the project to the benefitting communities.
He said the gesture would give succor to residents of the Communities and generation unborn as well as lead to the attainment of one of the sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
In a good will message, the Chairman, Bwari Area, Council, John Gabaya, represented by the Supervisory Counselor On Environment and Forestry, Salihu Mathew, thanked LDSC for coming to the aid of the Communities, and pointed out that the Council had desired to commence such a project in the localities, but could not meet up due to financial constraints.
On his part, WASH Manager, WaterAid Nigeria, Mr John Nwamuo, who disclosed that there will be construction of Female Friendly Toilets and installation of solar power in Tudun– Fulani from the N133m intervention fund, said the water project will benefit over 9,500 people.
The Etsu of Bwari, Dr Ibrahim Yaro, Heads of benefiting communities, top FCT RUWASSA and other FCTA Staff, attended the launch of the project.
EDITED BY GRACE NAMIJI