By our correspondence
43 improved water facilities have been installed and maintained in rural communities of Gezawa and Karaye Local Government Areas (LGAs) in Kano State through the Water Improvement and Sanitation Enhancement (WISE) project.
Mr Simeon Nyiakaa, Chief of Party for the WISE project, said this at the Closeout and Handover ceremony organised by Partners for Development (PfD) on Tuesday in Kano.
According to him, these facilities include 28 in schools and six in healthcare centres.
Nyiakaa noted that the event was the culmination of PfD’s three years of dedicated efforts and collaboration in Kano and Jigawa states.
The News Agency of Nigeria recalls that the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID), through Partners for Development, launched the three-year, $3.5 million WISE project to improve water safety in Jigawa and Kano states.
“These facilities are currently providing potable water to over 42,000 rural residents, delivering 20 liters per person per day.”
“WISE has made significant progress in 70 communities across Kano State, including 33 in Karaye and 37 in Gezawa LGAs.”
Nyiakaa further explained that these initiatives have substantially reduced open defecation, with all 70 project communities being certified as “Open Defecation Free” by the Kano State and National Task Group on Sanitation.
He added that they trained 395 women facilitators in financial literacy and business skills and formed over 65 Village Savings and Loans Associations (VSLA) with more than 1,521 members, including 1,371 women, across 59 of the 70 target rural communities.
“These initiatives have not only enhanced women’s financial independence but also fostered household resilience.
“With support from USAID, PfD has laid a solid foundation, but it is now up to the communities to continue this vital work, ensuring that the installed WASH facilities and improved sanitation and hygiene practices are maintained and expanded for future generations.”
He expressed his gratitude to the U.S. government, which provided funding for WISE through USAID, as well as to the Kano State Government, particularly the Ministries of Water Resources, Rural and Community Development.
He commended the Kano State Rural Water and Sanitation Agency (RUWASA), and the Gezawa and Karaye LGAs, for their support to Partners for Development.
The Commissioner for the Ministry of Rural and Community Development, Abbas Sani, noted that WISE’s activities in Kano will improve sanitation and healthy living in rural communities.
This, he said will ultimately reduce healthcare costs and saving government expenditure on pharmaceutical products.
Alhaji Mohammed Nadabo, speaking on behalf of the Gezawa Local Government Area Chairman, expressed gratitude to WISE for providing safe drinking water.
Bashir Usman, Ward Head of Karaye Local Government Area, thanked the NGO for installing solar-powered boreholes in their communities.
