INTEREST GROUPS MEET ON HOW TO IMPROVE WATER, SANITATION AND HYGIENE IN ENUGU STATE

The Sanitation Coordinator for Water Acid Nigeria, Mrs. Nneka Akwunwa has identified Communication and Advocacy as key factors in achieving behavioral change in the society.

Mrs. Akwunwa made this known at a 4 day workshop on communication and advocacy on sanitation project in Enugu State.

The four day workshop was part of capacity building activities under the Social Development Goals (SDGs) target number 6, which aims at speeding up water, sanitation and hygiene by the year 2030.

Mr. Akwunwa said that through advocacy and proper messaging, the drive to stop open defecation both in urban and rural communities would be achieved.

The Head, People and organization Development, Water Acid Nigeria, Mr. Mannesseh Igyuh, said the organization’s intervention in Ezeagu, Nsukka, Isi-Uzo and Uzo-Uwani Local Government Areas of Enugu State was anchored on a new approach termed Sanitation Marketing (SANMARK) under the Wash Easy Toilet rather than the usual development approach.

According to Mr. Igyuh, the Wash Easy Toilet (WET) is a customized plastic toilet seat which not only meets the toilet demand of people but also creates wealth.

At the event, the Coordinator Policy and Sector Capacity, Water CID Nigeria, Mr. Saheed Mustapha, called on the government to create an enabling environment that would promote the financing of water, sanitation and hygiene activities in Nigeria.

Two participants, Professor Obioma Nwaorgu and Dr. Chuks Igiliegbe, expressed confidence that the Wash Easy Toilet (WET) if embraced would reduce chances of diseases and ensure improved sanitation across the state.

They pledged to carry the message on stopping open defecation to their various communities.

Participants in the workshop were drawn from Civil Society Organization, SCDS, the Media, Ministry Department and Agencies (MDAs) as well as Local Government Authorities.

CHINWE ATU