About 2 million people in areas affected by the insurgency in Borno have been reconnected to clean and safe drinking water.
The General Manager, Borno Rural Water Supply and Sanitation Agency (RUWASSA), Dr Mohammed Aliyu, disclosed this on Tuesday in Maiduguri at an event focused on clean water supply in the state.
Aliyu said that with the improvement in peace in the state where insurgency led to the destruction of water facilities worth billions of naira, the state government had made remarkable strides in rural water supply.
“Over 218 hybrid boreholes have been constructed across the state alongside numerous free-flow boreholes.
“The state government constructed 462 hand pumps, rehabilitated 316 solar-powered boreholes, and 464 hand pumps, reconnecting over 2 million people to clean and safe drinking water.
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“The government has also approved and commenced the construction of 10 standard earth dams across the state.’’
He explained that the interventions through RUWASSA complemented other initiatives by the state ministry of water and other partners like World Bank and UNICEF in addressing water scarcity across the state.
“Recent interventions by ICRC, UNICEF, IOM and other partners have further expanded access to water in critical areas, liberating communities from water scarcity and empowering them to engage in sustainable livelihood activities such as dry-season farming.
“These efforts, coupled with ongoing projects and collaborations, underscore our collective commitment to ensuring water security and promoting peace,” Aliyu said.
In his remarks at the occasion, the Water, Sanitation and Hygiene (WASH) Sector Coordinator in North East, Mr Francois Bellet, said that about five million people need WASH in Borno, Adamawa and Yobe.
Bellet said that the WASH sector comprising 42 humanitarian organisations had in 2023 assisted 1.6 million people with safe drinking water in Borno.
According to him, safe drinking water remains key to addressing vulnerabilities and preventing diseases as well as ensuring women and girls do not go far before accessing clean water.
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In her lecture on water, the Chief of UNICEF Borno Field Office, Ms Phuong Nguyen, said access to clean water was not just a privilege but a right.
“It is a fundamental human right; any threat to this right is a threat to peace; cooperation in the management and protection of our water resources is therefore essential for the well-being of all.
“Whether it is ensuring access to safe drinking water or supporting agricultural endeavours, water is a prerequisite for human survival and development.
“Water is more than just a resource; it is a tool for fostering harmony and stability.
“Ensuring reliable access to water is paramount for peaceful coexistence in our communities,” Nguyen said.
NAN
