Dr Mohammed Dan-Hassan, the Executive Director, FCT Rural Water Supply and Sanitation Agency (RUWASSA), has reiterated the agency commitment  to access to clean water in FCT communities.
Dan-Hassan gave the assurance at a Project Close- Out meeting organised by WaterAid Nigeria, in collaboration with RUWASSA and Bwari Area Council in Abuja on Thursday.
The meeting is tagged: Strengthening Water and Sanitation Delivery Project in Bwari Area Council closed-out a 14 months intervention project.
The project included construction and rehabilitation of water facilities, in form of boreholes and gender-inclusive sanitation facility in four selected communities and a school in the district.
Dan-Hassan, represented by Mr Ismaila Mohammed, RUWASSA’s Special Adviser, Technical, said the agency was committed to ensuring that communities in the FCT have Water, Sanitation and Hygiene (WASH) facilities.
He said the agency would continue to collaborate with relevant organisations, and stakeholders towards achieving the goal and filling in water gaps in the communities.
The director, however, appraised the efforts of partners like WaterAid and The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints, whom he said, put in so much work to ensure that communities access WASH Services.
“We are committed to ensuring that every community in the FCT has access to clean water and sanitary facility; yet, there are gaps and we will continue to work alongside our partners to fill in those gaps.
“We, however, urge the communities that have benefited from the donors, to uphold this initiative through sustainability and good management, so that they can continue to enjoy the benefit.
“It is now in your hands, you are the privileged to have access to WASH and you must not take it for granted.
“Take care of it as your own, while we put in more efforts to replicate it in other areas.
“Do not make the efforts of all involved go in vain, it is now your responsibility to make sure that these facilities are well maintained and sustained,’’ he said.
He urged the area council administration, to prioritise WASH activities and ensure that similar projects are replicated in other communities in the district.
NAN reports that four communities, namely, Dakwa, Baran-goni, Zuma II, Sabon-Gari and LEA Primary School Tudun-fulani benefitted from the intervention project, with access to clean water and sanitary facility.
These included newly built and rehabilitated 10, 000 liters capacity solar/ electric powered boreholes, newly built reticulated water kiosks and reticulated water to 200 metres to 350 metres into communities.
Mr Peter Saidu, a resident of Zuma II and a WASH committee member in the area, appreciated the initiative, while saying that it was a dream comes true for his community.
According to him, the Zuma II community had always had challenge with accessing clean water but the intervention has made it possible to have 24 hours water supply.
He thanked all partners and donors for the knowledge impact on sanitation and hygiene, while promising to keep the flag flying in the community.
NAN reports that WaterAid Nigeria, alongside its partners, also formed and trained WASH committee members from each of the communities, to promote and enhance sanitation and hygiene practices in the areas.
The project was funded by The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints. (NAN)
