The Katsina State Government has pledged to boost water and sanitation in the 10 Local Government Areas of the state by implementing the World Bank-supported Sustainable Urban and Rural Water Supply, Sanitation, and Hygiene programme.

The benefiting LGAs are Katsina, Baragarawa, Charanchi, Kafur, Dutsikankara, Malumfashi, Daura, Baure, Dutsin- ma, and Malumfashi.

The SURWASH Programme Coordinator in the state, Aminu Dayyabu, spoke at the ongoing stakeholders’ forum of the SURWASH programme in Abuja on Tuesday. 

He said through collaborative efforts and strategic planning, Katsina state aims to leverage the resources provided by the World Bank to implement effective WASH interventions.

“By prioritising the needs of local communities and fostering stakeholder engagement, the state is poised to make significant strides towards achieving its WASH goals.’’

Mr Dayyabu highlighted Katsina’s unique position as the only state among seven to report results for Disbursement-linked Indicator, awaiting verification by the Independent Verification Agents.

The DLI III shows progress made in the number of people provided with basic drinking water service under the programme.

Mr Dayyabu attributed this progress to Governor Dikko Radda’s commitment to the SURWASH initiative, providing leadership and support to implementing agencies like the State Programme Implementing Unit.  

He mentioned the comprehensive baseline survey conducted before initiating the approved work plan, targeting specific local governments for intervention with WASH facilities.

According to him, it is a landmark achievement, noting the state’s alignment with SURWASH’s project objectives, particularly focusing on implementing an LGA-wide approach.

He noted that Katsina’s approach had been recognised as a model by the Federal Programme Implementing Unit and the World Bank, advocating for its replication in other states.

Mr Dayyabu highlighted the state government’s commitment, including providing counterpart funds and consultancy services, constituting nearly 30 per cent of the total implementation budget.

He reported tangible results, including 58,000 beneficiaries of water supply in sub-projects and improvements in health centres and schools across the state.

Mr Dayyabu expressed the state’s determination to scale up efforts in year 3, emphasising the need for increased media engagement and awareness campaigns to enhance visibility and dissemination of progress made under the SURWASH programme.

He added that as implementation progressed, the state remained optimistic about the positive impact of the SURWASH programme on the lives of its residents, paving the way for a brighter and more sustainable future.

The 700 million dollar-programme is underway in Delta, Ekiti, Gombe, Imo, Kaduna, Katsina, and Plateau states.

SURWASH will provide six million people with basic drinking water services and 1.4 million people access to improved sanitation services.

The programme will deliver improved water sanitation and hygiene services to 2,000 schools and health care facilities and assist 500 communities to achieve open-defecation free status.

(NAN)