By Ahmed Ahmed
An NGO Wateraid Nigeria and Bauchi State Rural Water Supply and Sanitation (RUWASSA) are working in two communities of Tafawa Balewa Local Government area of Bauchi State to build accessible water points, trained local people to manage the facilities and reduce the risk of waterborne diseases.
Access to clean water, hygiene and sanitation (WASH) is vital to enable people to protect themselves from water-borne disease in the communities.
Wateraid Nigeria with RUWASSA have provided two water facilities in Bununu and Dashan communities in Tafawa Balewa local government area and implemented by Women Development Association for Self Sustenance (WODASS).
To commemorate world water day in the communities of Tafawa Balewa, WaterAid, Agency and WODASS embarked on a water safety plan and awareness in the two communities.
The communities trained people on water safety and hygiene measures to protect themselves from COVID-19 and other diseases, including radio jingles and talks.
Build inclusive community water points (boreholes), which can be accessed by everyone, including people with disabilities.
As well as supporting communities to manage and maintain their water supply by forming inclusive WASH Committees were trained to maintain the water points.
Also advocate to relevant stakeholders such as local government, community leaders, religious leaders and Disabled People’s Organisations to elicit their support and commitment to ensure long-term sustainability of the project.
For them to have a clear understanding of the use of WASH to prevent and control communicable diseases,and COVID-19
Improving access to Water, Sanitation and Hygiene reduces water related illnesses and deaths and will lead to sustained control and elimination of Neglected Tropical Diseases.
People of Bakin Kasuwa Community have called on the State Government to come to their aid by providing sources of portable drinking water for their usages.
The community spoke through the Village Head, Malam Garba Usman during the Commemoration of the 2023 World Water Day held in Bununu, headquarters of Tafawa Balewa LGA.
Represented by Kasimu Usman, the Village Head stressed the importance of a good source of water for the community saying that it will reduce risk of infection of water borne diseases particularly lassa fever and diarrhea.
He then commended RUWASSA and WODASS for the sensitization campaigns among the community stressing that it will go a long way in improving the way and manner they will treat sources of water.
Magaji Barde of WODASS in his remarks said that a good source of water must be ensured in every household in order to reduce the risk of getting infected by water borne diseases.
He also assured that RUWASSA and WODASS through funding by WaterAid Nigeria will continue to ensure that the community has a good source of portable drinking water.
Some of the community members thanked RUWASSA and WODASS for the sensitisation which they said has further opened their eyes on how to ensure that the water they consume comes from good sources.
Mr Yunana Joshua thousong, Village head of Darshan Community appreciated Wateraid , RUWASSA and WODASS for the intervention and coming to the rescue of the people in the community.
We have problems with water in the community. We trek to the stream and fetch water. We struggle with animals in the stream to sustain ourselves.
“With this water facility provided to us would improve our health and livelihood , we are assured to maintain and sustain the water facility.
“All the same we are appealing for another water facility in another part of the village because our population grows daily.
“Our school children need water in their school. Lack of water distracted their studies. We call on the government to provide water which is live ,” he said.
Also Speaking in Dashan Community, Mr Simon Wokdima Arbe, Community leader of Darshan Bakin Kogi also thanked Wateraid Nigeria and its partners for providing water in the community.
He also commended the Bauchi state government and appealed for another water intervention , saying it is on the highway but lacks potable water.
The community leader called on the state government to look into the plight of the community and provide another point in the community.
