Stakeholders in the water sector have urged the Enugu government to increase its budgetary allocation for the Water, Sanitation, and Hygiene (WASH) sector.

They also called on the government to prioritise the release of funds allocated to the sector, as minimal funds have been disbursed in recent years.

This appeal was made on Friday in Enugu at the conclusion of a three-day budget training organised by the Society for Water and Sanitation (NEWSAN).

Theodora Igboaruka, policy and advocacy manager at WaterAid Nigeria, stated that increasing the WASH budget would improve access to water and sanitation facilities across the state. 

She cited a WaterAid consultant’s report showing no funds were released for the Enugu State Rural Water Supply and Sanitation Agency (ENRUWASA) or the Enugu State Small Town Water Supply and Sanitation (ENSTOWA) in 2023.

Ms Igboaruka also noted that some activities listed in the 2020 and 2021 budgets, such as school construction, did not directly address WASH needs. 

“It really does not speak to sustainable access to water and sanitation facilities, such as the construction of gender-friendly toilets and boreholes, which align with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).”

She further urged civil society organisations (CSOs) and government staff to review the consultant’s report and use it as a policy tool to advocate for increased budget allocation and timely releases. 

“WASH is at 36 per cent in Enugu State, but from my interactions, it’s clear that the current administration has an interest in the sector. What’s lacking is the necessary data to close the gaps.

“These tools will help the government monitor progress. If the state is at 36 per cent this year, we can aim to increase the budget allocation for WASH next year and measure the percentage of the total budget allocated to the sector.”

She warned of the consequences of underinvestment in WASH, pointing to the ongoing cholera outbreak in Enugu State as a direct result of insufficient investment in the sector.

Ogechukwu Enwerem, state coordinator of NEWSAN, noted the importance of WASH, describing it as a fundamental human right.

“Without water and sanitation, life is limited,” she said. 

Ms Enwerem is also worried over the insufficient budget allocations for WASH, as previous budgets have not reflected the actual needs on the ground.

She expressed concern that water resources were not among the top five priorities in the 2024 budget, in spite of repeated assurances from Governor Peter Mbah to make water accessible to residents. 

“I am concerned because, based on our analysis, the budget allocations do not align with the realities on the ground.

“We want to know what is happening in other sectors, but from the information presented during this meeting, it seems there is a budget, but the issue is with the release of funds,” Ms Enwerem said.

She, however, emphasised the role of ENSTOWA and ENRUWASA, noting, “The consultant’s report shows a zero percent release for ENSTOWA and ENRUWASA, despite the fact that these two agencies are closest to small communities.”

(NAN)