The Bauchi State Government, through the Rural Water Supply and Sanitation Agency (RUWASSA) and in partnership with the UN Children’s Fund (UNICEF), has initiated a comprehensive Water Safety Plan across 50 communities in Toro Local Government Area.
Mr. Abubakar Abdullahi, Water Quality and Control Officer at RUWASSA, shared this information during an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Monday in Bauchi.
He explained that the project aims to increase awareness about safe water handling—from collection to storage—to ensure access to clean drinking water. The initiative employs a demonstration-based approach to effectively educate households on best practices in water handling and sanitation.
“We are currently implementing water safety plans in 50 communities within Toro Local Government Area,” he stated.
Abdullahi noted that since January, UNICEF has supplied over 200 water testing kits to support the program. “These kits enable us to demonstrate the difference between clean and contaminated water, helping communities understand the importance of hygiene and water safety,” he added.
He underscored the significance of community ownership of water facilities to maintain hygiene and environmental sanitation.
Recalling past efforts, Abdullahi mentioned that in 2024, UNICEF distributed 45 kilograms of chlorine to each of the state’s 20 Local Government Areas to support emergency responses, particularly during floods. “UNICEF remains committed to providing chlorine supplies as needed. The LGAs still have the chlorine, and we receive reports from them. Any LGA requesting more will be supplied promptly by RUWASSA,” he explained.
He also revealed plans to conduct refresher training for Water, Sanitation, and Hygiene (WASH) desk officers throughout the state, focusing especially on water treatment for hand-dug boreholes. “This training will expose officers to global best practices and empower them to lead effective water safety campaigns,” he concluded.
Addressing challenges, Abdullahi noted that water contamination often results from poor storage practices at the household level. However, he praised certain communities for their strict adherence to water safety regulations. “Communities in Bogoro LGA have performed exceptionally well, recording zero suspected cholera cases for the past three years. They ensure no laundry or animal activities occur near water collection points and regularly conduct sanitation exercises,” he said.
In a separate interview, Ms. Nanbam Dawap, UNICEF WASH Officer in Bauchi, stated that borehole rehabilitation is ongoing to improve access to clean drinking water in several communities. She also highlighted UNICEF’s support for hygiene enhancement through the distribution of essential kits, including menstrual pads and detergents.
Dawap emphasized UNICEF’s continued collaboration with stakeholders to bolster emergency response efforts and promote safe water access for all.