WCS Rehabilitates Water and Sanitation Facilities in Seven Communities in Bauchi State
Today, the Wildlife Conservation Society (WCS) handed over a second set of boreholes as well as sanitation facilities rehabilitated under the Watershed Protection for Safe and Sustainable Water Supply (WSP) activity funded by the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) to seven communities in Alkaleri Local Government Area of Bauchi State, Nigeria.
Eight boreholes were handed over today including seven solar-powered boreholes in Dan, Garin Kweri, Galin Duguri, Kafin Duguri, and Gar communities and the Wikki Camp in Yankari Game Reserve, and one hand-pump borehole in Alkalerin Gwana community, bringing the total number of boreholes rehabilitated by the WSP activity and handed over to communities to-date in Bauchi State to fourteen. Together these boreholes serve 11,619 people in the communities including schools and healthcare facilities. Three rehabilitated sanitation facilities in four schools were also handed over to communities. These facilities are expected to serve a total of 630 pupils, significantly improving hygiene and sanitation conditions for the pupils.
Access to clean and safe drinking water is essential for the overall health, hygiene, and well-being of human beings. With these rehabilitated boreholes, residents of the seven communities and the Wikki Camp in Yankari Game Reserve will have reliable access to safe water supply and sanitation facilities, reducing the risk of waterborne diseases and improving their overall quality of life.
Implemented in Cross River and Bauchi states, the WSP activity provides access to clean drinking water - to 200,000 people in 137 communities. The activity achieves this by supporting community-driven watershed management to safeguard water sources through forest ecosystem conservation. The activity also improves access to safe sanitation services and community health through the construction and rehabilitation of safe sanitation facilities and Community-led Total Sanitation and hygiene education initiatives.
The Chief of Party of the USAID WSP activity and Deputy Country Director of WCS, Dr. Inaoyom Imong, said “The WCS and its local partner, Partners for Development (PfD), appreciate the support of USAID to improve the health and well-being of communities around Yankari Game Reserve through the provision of these Water, Sanitation and Hygiene (WASH) facilities, which is one of the initiatives USAID is supporting under WSP activity in Bauchi and Cross River States. He added that “For the WASH facilities handed over today to have a sustainable impact on the health and resilience of the beneficiary communities, the communities must take ownership and responsibility for their maintenance.”
USAID/Nigeria’s WASH Advisor in the Economic Growth and Environment Office, Latif-ur Rahman said “everyone is entitled to the basic social services that includes the provision of safe drinking water. USAID is partnering with the relevant stakeholders in Bauchi and Cross River state to provide safe and climate resilient drinking water that would not only provide safe drinking water to the community but would also contribute to the climate adaptation efforts.”
According to the Federal Ministry of Water Resources Water, Sanitation, and Hygiene National Outcome Routine Mapping (WASHNORM) State Factsheet Report (2021), 33 percent of the population in Bauchi State does not have access to basic water supply services, and 84 percent lack access to basic sanitation and hygiene services.
About the Wildlife Conservation Society (WCS):
WCS preserves wildlife and wild spaces around the world through science, conservation measures, education, and encouraging people to respect nature. To fulfill its mission, WCS leverages its global conservation program in nearly 60 nations, all the world's oceans, and its five New York nature reserves visited each year by 4 million people. The WCS combines its expertise in the field, its zoos, and its aquarium to carry out its preservation mission. From its country office in Calabar, WCS supports the conservation of Cross River National Park, Yankari Game Reserve, Afi Mountain Wildlife Sanctuary, and the Mbe Mountains.
Visit our website: https://nigeria.wcs.org/
Follow us: @WCSNewsroom and @WCS_Nigeria
For more information: 0903 235 3912
Email: wcsnigeria@wcs.org
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