UNICEF provides water services to 400,000 people in North East
UNICEF Chief of Maiduguri Field Office, Phuong Nguyen presenting a gift to one of the students that participated in the debate as part of activities to commemorate World Water Day in Maiduguri
By Dauda Iliya
The United Nations Children Education Fund UNICEF, has provided safe water supply to about 400,000 people in the North East region in 2023.
UNICEF Chief of Field Office, Phuong Nguyen stated this at an event to commemorate the 2024 World Water Day in Maiduguri.
Nguyen said the Agency has also supported in the provision of water, sanitation and hygiene WASH facilities to forty six schools and eleven primary healthcare centres in Adamawa, Borno and Yobe states.
She explained that UNICEF in collaboration with the Borno State government are pioneering the small town water scheme which is targeted to end expensive and unsustainable water trucking system to communities affected by conflict.
“In Northeast Nigeria, access to clean, safe water has been a challenge for many communities, exacerbating our already difficult circumstances. But today, our collective actions can pave the way for a brighter future. By prioritising water, safety and security and cooperation, we can sow the seeds of peace that will blossom into a prosperous tomorrow ” Nguyen said.
The UNICEF Chief, observed that despite efforts to improve WASH services in Borno state, access to safe water remains a significant challenge, as only four percent of the population use safely managed water.
She stressed the need for government at various levels to scale up investment in the water sector so as to drive sustainable development in the region.
Representatives of the state Commissioner for water resources Alhaji Alkali Lawan and that of Chairman State University Basic Education Board Hajiya Hauwa Goma expressed government’s commitment to provide portable water particularly in schools at the basic level.
Highpoint of the event was debate and quiz competition among some selected secondary schools as well as poetic performance by students of Federal Government College Maiduguri.
The theme for the 2024 World Water Day is water for peace.
