By Aisha Mohammed
Poor water supply and sanitation have, over the years, posed global health risks, leading to widespread infections and significantly contributing to child mortality, malnutrition, and reduced overall community productivity due to chronic illness.
In spite of government efforts at both national and sub-national levels aimed at promoting sustainable water supply through various programs and initiatives, the desired results are yet to be achieved.
Programs such as the International Drinking Water Supply and Sanitation initiative, the National Borehole Program, the National Water Rehabilitation Program and special interventions in endemic states, among others, have been implemented.
Despite these programs, improved water supply and sanitation remain a significant challenge, prompting stakeholders in the Adamawa State water sector to make a decisive shift from policy to action by improving water supply and sanitation through Public-Private Partnerships.
The United Nations Children’s Fund UNICEF Chief, Bauchi Field Office, Nuzhat Rafique, said interventions by UNICEF and the Netherlands Government to improve water supply and sanitation have made remote areas in most local government areas of Adamawa State open defecation-free.
The UNICEF Chief emphasized the need for collaboration through Public-Private Partnerships to sustain the gains in water supply and sanitation, especially in rural communities.
On his part, the General Manager of the Adamawa State Rural Water Supply and Sanitation Agency, Esly Emmanuel, said carrying out water quality checks is very important in ensuring that the people of Adamawa State have access to potable water.
The RUWASSA boss therefore urged members of the community to refrain from human activities that contaminate water sources in order to stay healthy and sustain the gains achieved in improving water supply and sanitation.
Present at the stakeholders’ engagement held in Yola were representatives from the Adamawa State Ministries of Water Resources, Chieftaincy Affairs, the Small Town, Water Board, Water Corporation, Investment and Promotion Agency, RUWASSA, UNICEF, and other development partners.
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