The Kaduna State Rural Water Supply and Sanitation Agency has improved access to clean water and hygiene in rural communities with the construction of no fewer than 156 boreholes and 298 toilets.

In a statement on Monday, KADRUWASSA’s director-general, Mubarak Ladan, said the construction and rehabilitation of existing boreholes had benefited no fewer than 651,300 people.

Mr Ladan said that the toilets constructed through KADRUWASSA and handed over to schools, health clinics, and communities would directly benefit over 11,920 individuals.

He added that 78 mechanics were trained to maintain the boreholes, noting that the initiative provided clean water to rural communities, improved public health, and promoted economic development.

Mr Ladan explained that the agency’s partnership with donor agencies, including UNICEF, made the feats possible. He disclosed that the agency also received support from various donor agencies.

They included the Partnership for Expanded Water Supply, Sanitation, and Hygiene programme, the Sustainable Urban and Rural Water Supply, Sanitation, and Hygiene Project, and the Acceleration Sanitation and Water for All project, which enabled the agency to achieve its goals.

He stated that the initiative was expected to have a positive impact on public health outcomes and economic development in rural areas, stressing that Gov. Uba Sani had embarked on a groundbreaking initiative to revolutionize sanitation across the state.

The director-general explained that the ambitious toilet projects were aimed at eradicating open defecation in Kaduna by 2030, in line with national objectives.

Mr Ladan said that the residents can significantly improve public health outcomes by reducing the prevalence of waterborne diseases and promoting good hygiene practices. He added that significant progress had already been recorded, with 10 out of the 23 local government areas in Kaduna achieving open defecation-free status.

Mr Ladan stated that no fewer than 2,269 communities had successfully attained the open defecation-free status, showcasing the effectiveness of the initiative. 

He explained that the state’s ‘Sustain Agenda’ was instrumental in driving investment in small towns and rural areas, thereby enhancing access to clean water and sanitation.

(NAN)