Oyo govt, World Bank partner to end open defecation
…as W/Bank commits $700 m to strengthen URWASH programme
The Oyo State Government has reaffirmed its commitment to ending open defecation and strengthening water, sanitation, and hygiene (WASH) projects by keying into the new development version supported by the World Bank, code-named Sustainable Urban and Rural Water Supply, Sanitation, and Hygiene (SURWASH) programme.
Seun Ashamu, the Commissioner for Environment and Natural Resources, speaking at a two-day workshop held at the Western Hall, Oyo State House of Assembly Complex, Secretariat, Ibadan, urged participants to critically review the consultant’s report.
Sunday Moradeyo, director of forestry, who represented the commissioner, admonished the participants to make recommendations that would enhance the health, well-being, and future of Oyo State residents.
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The workshop was jointly organised by the Oyo State Ministry of Environment and Natural Resources and the Federal Ministry of Water Resources and Sanitation.
Rahman Olorunpoto, the chairman of the House Committee on Environment, Ecology, and Water Resources, stated that the two-day validation workshop on the preparedness of the state for the SURWASH programme is commendable, as it confirmed the concern of the present administration towards the well-being of the citizens.
Olorunpoto promised to brief the house on the need to provide legislative support for the realisation of this noble intention.
Olayinka Akanle, professor and the lead consultant, explained that the validation workshop focused on key areas, including WASH Sector Analysis, Political Economy Analysis, Monitoring and Evaluation Framework, Capacity-Building Needs, Gender Inclusivity, Sustainability, and Stakeholder Engagement.
Bilkisu Dossah, the co-consultant in her presentation, revealed that the World Bank has committed $700 million to the federal government for the SURWASH programme.
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She noted that while seven states are already benefiting under Tier 1, Oyo State is among five others (Oyo, Abia, Anambra, Edo, and Kwara) eligible under Tier 2 for technical assistance.
Dossah further highlighted the challenges that should be addressed for the enablement of the WASH programme in Oyo State, which include the absence of a full-fledged Ministry of Water Resources and Sanitation, the lack of a legal framework for WASH, weak institutional coordination, and the absence of a regulatory body.
She therefore recommended the speedy passage of the draft WASH policy into law, the creation of a Ministry of Water Resources and Sanitation, and the establishment of a regulatory body to strengthen accountability and service delivery.
