On Monday, the African Ministers Council on Water (AMCOW) called on African countries to strengthen systems that would improve access to sanitation services for the people sustainably.

AMCOW’s executive secretary, Rashid Mbaziira, made the call in an interview with journalists in Abuja. He said the council would continue to promote implementing and utilising the African Sanitation Policy Guidelines (ASPG) in member countries.

Mbaziira said the ASPG was formulated using standards from global best practices, saying its adoption would ensure safely managed sanitation services for the populace.

He said Nigeria had been a major partner in AMCOW’s activities, saying more efforts were needed to close the huge sanitation gaps in the country.

Mr Mbaziira noted the crucial importance of having a functioning system and stakeholders’ partnership, saying this would strengthen the enabling environment for scaling up sanitation and hygiene services.

He said having a stand-alone sanitation and hygiene policy in the country was important and should be encouraged by all, adding that AMCOW would continue to work to see its acceptance.

Mr Mbaziira added, “It would be a huge achievement for us if our host country, Nigeria, is utilising the ASPG being developed by a body that it has supported to such a great length to also strengthen the enabling environment for sanitation and hygiene service provision.

“So for us, it’s one of those things that we really are keen to see take place, and we would like to render or contribute in any way we can to see to it that there is a sanitation and hygiene policy, whether stand-alone or contributing to other sectors.”

Mr Mbaziira said there was a need to look at the upcoming AfricaSan7 as a moment of reflection and call to action to track progress for meeting the sustainable development goals six.

He stressed that the conference would facilitate the assessment of progress by member states in meeting their sanitation and hygiene commitments, as outlined in the 2023 AfricaSan Ngor report.

He, however, welcomed all intending participants to enjoy the beautiful city of Swakopmund, saying it would be an opportunity to explore the UNESCO World Heritage Site.

AfricaSan7 Conference will be held from November 6 to 11 in Swakopmund, Namibia.

(NAN)