Highland Microfinance Bank has unveiled its new product, the High Hygiene WASH Loan, as part of a collaborative effort to provide funds to needy Nigerians for improved access to water, sanitation, and hygiene.

The managing director of Highland Microfinance Bank Plc, Benjamin Mapac, said this on Monday in Abuja. Mr Mapac said the inauguration of the loan facility marked the beginning of a new chapter in the bank’s operations.

”The Hygiene WASH facility is the result of the MfB’s strategic partnership with Water.org, a leading civil advocacy group committed to improved water access globally. It is the result of a partnership with the National Association of Microfinance Banks (NAMB), the umbrella body of all MFBs in Nigeria. It marks a new chapter on how the bank would protect health, uphold human dignity, and make water and hygiene accessible to more people and communities,” he said.

He said that for years, the MfB’s management had listened to, observed, and experienced the challenges many households and businesses faced in maintaining consistent, reliable hygiene standards.

”The WASH facility is a solution designed with purpose, built on research, and refined with the input of people who understand hygiene challenges at the community level and the institutional level alike. The purpose of the loan is for the acquisition of toilets and sanitation facilities, to build new or upgrade existing toilet structures. It will also help in the provision of portable drinking water to millions of Nigerians lacking access to clean water,” he said.

According to him, the loan attracts low interest rates at three per cent monthly, which is quite attractive.

He said the repayment terms could range from 6 to 12 months, depending on the loan size. Today, as we unveil the High-Hygiene WASH Loan, we are also celebrating the power of collaboration.

“Our partnership with Water.org has opened doors for us to understand water-access realities on a deeper level. Working with the National Association of Microfinance Banks has strengthened our community engagement and helped us shape solutions that meet real needs,” he said.

He said that the High-Hygiene WASH Loan remained the micro lender’s commitment to its customers.

According to him, it represents the management’s promise to provide reliable, high-standard hygiene solutions that protect their families, businesses and communities.

“As we move forward, our message is simple: Hygiene is not optional. Hygiene is essential. With the High-Hygiene WASH Loan, we are making essential care more accessible, more affordable, and more effective than ever before to millions of ordinary Nigerians nationwide,” he said.

The executive secretary of NAMB, Eddy Orok, said that the collaboration with Water.org had promoted the implementation of SDG 6 in Nigeria through participating microfinance banks.

He said that NAMB intended to grow this partnership and improve access to clean, safe and affordable water and sanitation for Nigerian communities.

The NAMB boss commended the management of Highland Microfinance Bank for powering the new product.

Gilbert Okpono, senior relationship account manager at Water.Org, commended the Highland MfB’s facility and its partnership with others on the initiative.

“This product, captioned High-Hygiene, gives families the power to access clean water and safe sanitation, transforming lives with dignity and hope. Together, we are creating a future where every home enjoys health, safety, and opportunity,” he said.

(NAN)