The Lagos State government has been challenged to maintain and sustain Water, Sanitation and Hygiene, (WASH), facilities provided by an NGO, WaterAid Nigeria in Ojodu and Ikorodu North LCDAs, as well as use the model as standard in government interventions for other council areas. WaterAid Nigeria Country Director, Ms Evelyn Mere, threw the challenge at the close-out ceremony of Integrated Hygiene and Health, I-HHP, project in Lagos in collaboration with Kimberly Clark.The Country Director, who was represented by WaterAid Nigeria Head of Advocacy, Policy and Communications, Mr Kolawole Banwo, emphasized that WaterAid interventions act as influencers for government to do the right thing in ensuring highest standards of hygiene and sanitation in the state in line with global best practices.The Project Manager, Mrs Grace Uwadiale, who noted that WaterAid Nigeria has also build capacity of relevant personnel in different agencies Ministries, urged the beneficiary LCDAs and other stakeholders’ to cascade the knowledge gained to those at the grassroots to promote the five key hygiene behaviors, which will subsequently reduce spread of infection and diseases.
While reeling out the success stories and challenges of the project, Mrs Uwadiale said two Primary Health Centers in Ojodu and Ikorodu North were rehabilitated to standards with solar powered borehole and fifteen thousand liters water tank in each LCDAs to cater for the needs of residents using the facilities, with a call on relevant authorities to replicate such projects in other locations. Representatives of the Lagos State Primary Health Care Board, Ministry of the Environment and Water Resources, Ojodu and Ikorodu North LCDA, who are direct beneficiaries commended WaterAid Nigeria for the numerous WASH interventions which have impacted thousands of lives positively.
PurpleBeige reports that the highpoint of the close-out ceremony was the presentation of award plaque and certificates to the Ministry, LCDA and individuals who went extra length in actualizing some of the success stories and the I-HHP project in the last one year in Lagos.
