Delta State SURWASH Holds One Day Stakeholders Sensitization Programme
By Norbert Fidelis
The need to promote and sustain water and sanitation hygiene, (WASH) has been highlighted in a one day stakeholders sensitization workshop ,involving the media and CSOs and organized by the Delta State Sustainable Urban And Rural Water Sanitation And Hygiene (SURWASH) in conjunction with the Min. Of Water Resources
In his goodwill message at the event, the functioning Permanent Secretary, Min. Of Water Resources , Mr. Kenneth Ozegbe, who represented the commissioner, welcomed everybody to the workshop , asserting that the objective is to propagate the project to the outside world , through the media and CSOs, as well as making water, accessible , affordable and sustainable in the State .
This message was reiterated by the environmental officer , Engr. Bright Akpodome, who said the access to portable clean water ,sanitation and hygiene practises is a fundamental requirement for economic growth and environmental sustainability, adding that the media and CSOs are there to fill the gaps, in terms of information diseminatiom and behavioural change . He also described the media and CSOs as organizations who shape narratives and influence policy directions .
Meanwhile the quality control officer Min. Of Water Resources, Paula Nwokolo, has given a breakdown of the project. According to her, the implementing agencies are, Rural Water Supply Agency, (RUWASA) Small Town Water Supply And Sanitation Agency, (STOWASA) And Delta State Urban Water Corporation, (DESUWACO) saying it’s a 6yrs project , that started since Jan. 2022 , and will end in Jan 2027. She also listed the participating states as , Delta , Imo ,Ekiti, Katsina, Gombe ,Kaduna and Plateau. . She highlighted the 6 LG that are targeted in the state , which are , Ndokwa West, Okpe, Ughelli North , Isoko South, Bomadi and Ukwuani , maintaining that the goal of the project is to improve water supply sanitation and hygiene services in Delta State
All Representatives of the various implementing agencies, showcased their different works and achievements ,with facts and figures to the admiration of the participants . Other speakers at the event include , Mr. Churchill Oyovwe , chairman of Delta State NUJ Council , Pastor Robert Osahon of the CSO , and Mr. John Imilar , Director, Planing Research And Statistics, Min Of Water Resources Devt. / SURWASH Desk Officer , who highlighted the role of the ministry , as that of an engine room , that will overview and monitor the project, as well as call to order, when necessary. He also said that the govt is hoping and willing to spread the project accross the 25 LG of the State
The SURWASH programme is a World Bank Project ,and the objective is to improve sustainable water supply and hygiene services to the urban , rural and small town areas in Delta State .
