The UN Children’s Funds has commenced stakeholder engagement on the development of Zamfara water supply and sanitation sector policy.

The Chief of UNICEF’s Sokoto Field Office, Dr Maryam Said, disclosed this on Tuesday in Gusau at the consultation meeting with the state government’s officials and other stakeholders on WSS sector policy in the state.

She said that the project would improve access to water quality and sanitation services in the state

Ms Said, represented at the occasion by the UNICEF Social Policy Specialist, Isah Ibrahim, noted that the meeting was sequel to the approval of the WSS policy in the state by Governor Dauda Lawal.

The UNICEF chief described the engagement as timely, adding that 35 per cent of the state population had no access to improved water.

“Zamfara is one of the states with the highest deprivation of sanitation services, as 64.7 per cent of the people of the state do not have access to improved sanitation services.

“UNICEF is working closely with the state government and other key social sectors, including the water sector, to ensure the implementation of relevant policies addressing the needs of women and children,” Ms Said added.

Ms Said thanked all the stakeholders at the meeting who were drawn from the different government ministries, departments and agencies in the state for their input during the meeting.

Earlier, the Permanent Secretary in the State Ministry for Budget and Planning, Yazeed Attahiru, thanked UNICEF for supporting the state through various programmes.

Mr Attahiru reiterated the state government’s commitment to providing an environment conducive for the development partners in the overall development of the state. 

(NAN)