By Fatima Mohammed-Lawal
The Rotary Club of Ilorin Metro, in collaboration with the Kwara State Environmental Protection Agency (KWEPA) and the Rural Water Supply and Sanitation Agency (RUWASA), is partnering to enhance Water, Sanitation, and Hygiene (WASH) services across communities in Kwara State.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that this was the resolution of the organisations during a panel discussions organised by the Rotary Club of Ilorin.
In his address, the President of the Rotary Club of Ilorin Metro, Mr Buhari Oladimeji stated that the programme aims to address the pressing issues of access to clean water and proper sanitation facilities, particularly in underserved areas.
He observed that there is need for initiative that will promote construction and rehabilitation of water infrastructure, including boreholes and sanitation facilities, in schools and communities.
Oladimeji said this aligns with Rotary International’s goal of providing access to clean water and sanitation for all.
He emphasised that the Rotary Club of Ilorin Metro, RUWASA, and KWEPA will work together to improve the health and well-being of the community, with a focus on vulnerable populations such as children and women.
Speaking during the panel discussions, Mr Olorunfemi Oladipo, the General Manager of RUWASA pointed out that access to WASH facility is a fundamental right of citizens.
Oladipo emphasized that WASH facility must be available for all schools, most importantly for school girls due to their monthly periods.
He observed that the State government has been providing WASH facility, however adding that maintainance culture of existing WASH facilities is poor.
“We need to engage on advocacy and community engagement to sensitize people on the importance of taking ownership of WASH facilities,” he said.
On his part, the General Manager of KWEPA, Mr Jide Aina, noted that challenges abound on matters of environment.
He pointed out that workers in the Agency face problem of insecurity, adding that some workers are attacked in the course of their duties.
“There is lack of awareness on the laws of the country concerning environmental protection and health,” he lamented.
Aina reiterated that the security network is supporting government initiative in enforcing environmental sanitations across the State.
The KWEPA general manager therefore called on Public/Private Partnership (PPP) with organisations such as Rotary in giving the necessary support on WASH.
Similarly, Dr Opasola Afolabi, an Environmental Health Scientist of the Kwara State University (KWASU) noted that maintainance culture is low due to ignorance among communities.
“It is cheaper to built toilets but expensive to maintain, because there is no community ownership,” he said.
The Don also observed that there is poor data interpretation on area of WASH in the State.
According to him, the United Nation Children’s Fund (FUND) and World Health Organisation (WHO) has recommended that there should be at least one toilet to 50 boys and a toilet to 25 girls, with all the necessary WASH.
Earlier in his goodwill mesaage, Mr Funkeapko Ken Batife, the District Governor of Rotary Club commended the members for their progressive actions in the community.
He reiterated the resolve of the organisation to continue to render development and selfless services for people in the communities in the country.
