Mrs Abiodun Essiet, Senior Special Assistant to the President on Community Engagement (North-Central) says that there is need for stakeholders to develop innovative solutions to end water and sanitation challenges in the country.
She said this at the formal launch of the partnership for community engagement in collaboration with the Organised Private Sector in Water, Sanitation and Health (OPSWASH) in Abuja.
The event which was done in partnership with the Association of Professional Women Engineers of Nigeria, was organised to commemorate this year’s World Water Day.
Essiet who was represented by Mayowa Akpati, said that water and sanitation remained a critical part to sustainable development, as such, must not be neglected.
According to her, ensuring universal access to safe, clean and affordable water for all, requires collective action by all stakeholders in the WASH campaign.
“Water is a basic necessity of life. It is crucial for good health, food security and economic development.
“Yet, millions of people around the world, including here in our own communities, still lack access to safe drinking water and proper sanitation facilities.
“This situation is further exacerbated by the effects of climate change, population growth, rapid urbanization and other socioeconomic factors.
“In light of these realities, it becomes evident that we cannot rely on traditional approaches alone.
“We need innovative solutions and concerted efforts to bridge the gap and ensure that no one is left behind,” she said.
Essiet added that with its combined efforts, access to water and sanitation facilities will empower communities, particularly women and girls to actively participate in decision making processes regarding water management.
Also speaking, OPS-WASH National Coordinator, Dr Nicholas Igwe, said that the importance of multi-stakeholder collaboration aimed at promoting WASH initiatives, could not be over-emphasized.
Igwe said that there was need for proactive involvement from all sectors of the society, as the government could not do it alone.
For her part, APWEN President, Dr Adebisi Osim, said there was urgent need to address the country’s water crisis, including flooding, poor water management, insufficient access to clean water and sanitation.
Osim, represented by Hajiya Hauwa Sadique, added that access to clean, safe and affordable water would in turn bring about sustainable development and peace in various communities in the country.
