Cross River, Benue Benefit From FG Sanitation Project

The Federal Government has flagged-off a new sanitation and hygiene scheme in Benue and Cross River State.

Making the disclosure recently in Abuja at the launch of the Rural Sanitation and Hygiene Promotion in Nigeria (RUSHPIN) Mrs. Sarah Ochekpe, Minister of Water Resources said Nigeria loses N455 billion annually the equivalent of 1.3 percent of its GDP to poor sanitation.

The scheme which is backed by the Water Supply and Sanitation Collaborative Council (WSSCC) through the Global Sanitation fund to the tune of $ 5 million would help improve water and sanitation hygience at the school and sanitation marketing and would be implemented in six local government areas of the participating two states.

Expected to achieve 100 per cent sanitation at the target areas it would also assist in achieving the nation’s target for sanitation and hygiene.

According to records, over 100 million Nigerians do not have access to good sanitation.

The minister said with 41 per cent of Nigerians having access to good sanitation with a large number practicing open defecation was worrisome.

She said the figure was a far cry from the set national target on MDG of 65 percent by 2015 and 75 percent by 2020.

The minister commended WSSCC and the federal government for their commitment in enabling the two states participate in the implementation of the programme.

The Director, Water Quality Control and Sanitation, Mr.Joe Kwanashe, in his remark said Nigeria was chosen as one of the round two nations to benefit from the fund over a period of five years.