Cholera: Nasarawa declares state of emergency on water, sanitation

By UMAR MUHAMMED

Nasarawa State Government has declared a state of emergency on Water, Sanitation and Hygiene (WASH) to curb cholera ravaging its 13 local government areas.

The state had recorded 51 fatalities from the disease. The casualties are mostly women and children.

The state governor, Abdullahi Sule declared the state of emergency during the flag-off of “Clean Nigeria: Use the Toilet Campaign” at the Government House in Lafia Saturday.

Sule, who was represented by his Deputy, Dr Emmanuel Akabe, said the state of emergency on WASH has become imperative due to the prevalence of open defecation practice among the people and poor sanitation.

According to him, the measure is expected to address open defecation and increase access to clean water.

The governor said the Nasarawa State Rural Water Supply and Sanitation Agency has been mandated to ensure that not less than 500 communities across the 13 local government areas have access to clean drinking water by the year 2023.

He stated that the first round of the procurement process has been initiated to accomplish the objective.

Earlier, Jamilu Abu, who represented the Minister of Water Resources, commended the state government for paying its counterpart fund, which necessitated the release of N250 million for the ‘use the toilet campaign’.

He expressed optimism that the National Youth Volunteer Programme would help the campaign to end open defecation and mobilise support for improved water and sanitation services in the country. (Daily Trust)