The WASH Sector Coordinator for North-East, Mr Francois Bellet, has revealed that over five million people comprising internally displaced persons (IDPs), returnees, and the host communities in Borno, Adamawa and Yobe States were in need of water, sanitation and hygiene services.
Mr Bellet made the revelation on Tuesday during a ceremony organised by the WASH Sector in collaboration with the Borno State Rural Water Supply and Sanitation Agency (RUWASSA), in commemoration of the 2024 World Water Day, held in Maiduguri, the Borno State capital.
He said in 2023, about 1.6 million persons in Borno State were assisted with WASH, noting that from humanitarian perspective, safe drinking water is key to addressing acute vulnerability towards preventing vicious circle like malnutrition, and to ensure that women and girls do not go far to fetch water.
“Water is a key component of hygiene formation. So let’s celebrate the World Water Day with the theme ‘Water for Peace’,” he stated.
In his keynote address, the General Manager of RUWASSA, Engr. Mohammed Musa Aliyu, said the theme of this year’s World Water Day – ‘Water for Peace’ – resonates deeply with the challenges and triumphs witnessed so far, noting that throughout the peak of the Boko Haram insurgency, Borno State endured immense destruction of water facilities, amounting to billions of naira in losses.
He said in response, the Borno State government under the leadership of Babagana Umara Zulum took a decisive action to restore water access by constructing waterworks and energy-efficient boreholes for domestic and agricultural use, thereby addressing food and general insecurity as evidenced by several irrigation schemes spanning thousands of hectares across the state.
Represented by the director of administration, Hajiya Hauwa Anas, the RUWASSA boss said already several communities have started gaining their means of livelihood through farming, thereby becoming more peaceful and productive, justifying water as a vital tool for peace, and a major catalyst for sustainable development.
In her remarks, the United Nations Children’s Emergency Fund (UNICEF) Chief of Borno Field Office, Phuong Nguyen, urged the gathering to consider for a moment the role that water plays in people’s lives daily.
“It is the cornerstone of our hygiene, our health, and our sustenance. From bathing to drinking, cooking to cleaning, water is indispensable. Access to clean water is not just a privilege; it is a fundamental human right. Any threat to this right is a threat to peace. Cooperation in the management and protection of our water resources is therefore essential for the well-being of all.
“Whether it’s ensuring access to safe drinking water or supporting agricultural endeavours, water is a prerequisite for human survival and development. Water is more than just a resource; it is a tool for fostering harmony and stability. Ensuring reliable access to water is paramount for peaceful coexistence in our communities, especially in regions like our own, where resources may be scarce.
“I am pleased to report that UNICEF’s partnership with the government in North-East Nigeria has yielded significant progress. Through collaborative efforts, nearly 400,000 people gained access to safe water in 2023 alone, while numerous schools and healthcare facilities received vital Water, Sanitation, and Hygiene (WASH) services,” she stated.
