Stakeholders in the sanitation and hygiene sector in Bauchi State have reviewed Sanitation Policies for domestication of the African Sanitation Policy Guidelines (ASPG) in the state.
The review workshop was organised by the state’s Ministry of Water Resources, in collaboration with Wateraid Nigeria on Thursday in Bauchi.
The Water Sanitation and Hygiene (WASH) Consultant with Wateraid, Mr Kichime Bawa said the review was to engage stakeholders in the WASH sector to identify gaps in the sanitation policy of the state.
He said that interacting with the assessment tool would help stakeholders to compare the policy of the state with global standards.
He added that through the review and comparison, the state can see what it needs to do to meet the minimum and global standard to improve sanitation.
Bawa stated that the outcome of the workshop would be disseminated and serve as the Sanitation Situation Analysis and be used for policy improvement for the state’s WASH sector.
He explained that “ASPG involves working with governments, civil society and the private sector to develop and review sanitation policies that meet the specific needs and contexts of African countries.
“The ASPG provides a roadmap for African countries to develop policies that are comprehensive, inclusive, and sustainable.”
On his part, the Director, Water Supply in the state’s Ministry of Water Resources, Mr Adamu Ali said Bauchi State Government sought the assistance of WaterAid to review its existing WASH policy.
“Some gaps were identified in the policy with the introduction of the African Sanitation Policy Guidelines (ASPG) and the use of African Sanitation Policy Assessment tool (ASPAT); those gaps in the policy will be addressed to meet best global practice.”
He said that reviewing the WASH policy would avail the state the opportunity to access funding from donors, Federal Ministry of Water Resources and other international organisations.
In a remark, the Commissioner for Water Resources in the state, Mr Andulrazak Zaki said that already WASH units in the local governments were converted to departments.
He noted that this would give the local governments full autonomy to run the affairs of the WASH Units Independently.
Stakeholders in the meeting include religious organisations, the academia, media, Ministries, Departments, Agencies and civil society groups, amongst others.
NAN
