Katsina State has emerged as the frontrunner in implementing the World Bank-supported Nigeria Sustainable Urban and Rural Water Supply, Sanitation, and Hygiene (NG-SURWASH) programme across seven states in the country.
The state programme coordinator, Engr. Aminu Dayyabu disclosed this during the official inauguration of the Stakeholders and Supervision Committee for the Sustainable Total Water Supply and Sanitation (STOWASSA) project.
The initiative targets seven local government areas in the state, including Funtua, Batagarawa, Charanchi, Kafur, Daura, Baure, and Kankara.
Engr. Dayyabu highlighted that the state is leveraging resources provided by the World Bank to implement effective water, sanitation, and hygiene (WASH) interventions.
He praised Governor Umaru Dikko Radda for his unwavering commitment to meeting the programme’s requirements, including the timely payment of counterpart funds.
Inaugurating the committee, the executive director of STOWASSA, Lawal Ibrahim Dankaba, emphasised the importance of community collaboration and stakeholder engagement in ensuring the success of the project
“By prioritising the needs of local communities and fostering stakeholder engagement, the state is poised to make significant strides towards achieving its WASH goals,” he stated.
Dankaba also called on committee members to actively engage with local communities, particularly the youth, to ensure the optimal utilisation and protection of the projects.
He urged citizens to support the initiative throughout its implementation and maintenance phases.
Katsina’s leadership in the NG-SURWASH programme is further underscored by its unique achievement as the only state among the seven participants to report progress under the Disbursement-Linked Indicator (DLI III), which measures the number of people provided with basic drinking water services.
This milestone is currently awaiting verification by Independent Verification Agents.
The committee’s chairman, Rabi’u Gambo Bokori, expressed gratitude for the opportunity to serve and assured stakeholders of the committee’s dedication to achieving the project’s goals. He pledged to work closely with local communities to meet the terms of reference.
With Katsina’s proactive approach and focus on sustainable development, the state is set to deliver long-lasting benefits to its citizens while setting a benchmark for other states in Nigeria.
