An international not-for-profit organization, WaterAid Nigeria, has expressed confidence in the capacity of 25 Civil Society Organisations, CSOs, to drive WASH governance in Plateau State.
This was contained in remark of the Country Director, WaterAid Nigeria, Evelyn Mere, at the European Union-funded Technical Assistance to CSOs (EU-TAC) project, implemented by the Society for Water and Sanitation (NEWSAN), with technical support from WaterAid.
The EU-TAC project, which is now coming to a close, was launched in 2018 to execute the Water Supply and Sanitation Sector Reform Programme III (WSSSRP III) in Plateau State, in a bid to improve governance of the sector and provide improved services in urban and small towns of the state.
The project is part of the overall European Union support of over EUR 260 million to reach more than 10 million people with improved access to clean water, sanitation, and hygiene facilities in 14 states of Nigeria.
The project had the specific objective of improving the capacity of civil societies in the state, and in Riyom and Shendam local government areas of Plateau State, to advocate for better governance in the water and sanitation sector and to act as a potential driver for good governance in the broader context of the public sector service delivery.
Mere said: “Over 25 CSOs have been strengthened to drive improved WASH governance in Plateau State for better health, gender, livelihoods, and socio-economic outcomes.
“Additionally, community structures in Riyom and Shendam local government have had their capacities strengthened and are already demanding for improved WASH services from the government while advocating for accountability in the budget implementation process.
“We are most delighted to be part of the process and we appreciate the European Union for the opportunity. We also commend the Plateau State Government for their support and ownership of this project.”
However, she emphasized that “It is important to note that the journey to improving access to water and sanitation has not ended. Indeed, it has only just begun.”
With the completion of the EU-TAC project in the state, the 25 CSOs are now better positioned to support all citizens, including women and people with disabilities, to demand their rights to clean water and safe sanitation, and to ensure that citizens are heard in decision-making platforms within the sector.
The benefiting CSOs were also extensively trained in budget advocacy/policy analysis, human rights-based approach to water and sanitation governance, fundraising, gender mainstreaming, case study gathering, and project monitoring and evaluation, which enhanced their capacity to engage the WASH institutions in the State.
A notable achievement of their engagements with the state government was the development of the State Water Sector Bill, passed into law, following high-level advocacy engagements by the CSOs.
Engagements with the CSOs also led to the implementation of the Plateau State Water and Sanitation Policy and a Gender Audit in the Ministry of Water Resources, followed by the development of an action plan for gender mainstreaming in the ministry and its agencies.
Continued engagements have also led to the prioritization of water and sanitation by duty bearers; with budgetary allocations to the water, sanitation, and hygiene sector increasing fromN4.9 billion nairas in 2019 to N15.57 billion in 2020.
To ensure the sustainability of the gains of the EU-TAC project, the CSOs will continue to advocate for the prioritization of WASH services at both state and local government levels. They will also follow up with the Ministry of Water Resources and Energy to ensure the implementation of the Gender Action Plan.
Meanwhile, at the end of the project, Head of EU Delegation to Nigeria and ECOWAS, Ambassador Ketil Karlsen, said Nigeria has to increase and sustained its funding to this sector to ensure that all access to water and toilets is a right of all Nigerians.
“Water and sanitation services underpin our societies and can cause serious social and economic challenges when poorly managed and underfunded. Ensuring that people have access to safe, secure, and affordable water is vital to ensure a decent life for all. Nigeria has to increase and sustained its funding to this sector to ensure that all access to water and toilets is a right of all Nigerians”, he stated.
