The Minister of State
for FCT, Ms Olajumoke Akinjide, has  inaugurated the FCT Sanitation Task Group, which will implement the Water, Sanitation and Hygiene (WASH) programme.
The 17- man committee is to serve as a co-ordinating platform for the programme.
Akinjide, who was represented by the Senior Special Assistant on Administration, Mrs Jumai Kwanashie, said the FCT was experiencing WASH challenges in communities, schools and public places.
“This has led to health challenges and economic losses,’’ the minister said.
While describing the present sanitary conditions in the territory as unacceptable, Akinjide observed that local communities in the territory lacked potable water, safe sanitation and proper hygiene education.
“This group shall analyse and promote policies, programmes and projects which will specifically trigger the implementation of community and school-led total sanitation.
“We expect that this group will work with relevant stakeholders in the FCT and nationally to ensure the achievement of Goal Seven of the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs). The goal is ‘Ensuring Environmental Sustainability’.’’
The minister expressed the hope that advocacy could ameliorate the global crisis, pointing out that over 2.6 billion people lack access to basic latrine facilities.
She said nearly 900 million people were in search of good drinking water on a daily basis because they lacked access to potable water.
“The impact of using basic sanitation, safe drinking water, and improved hygiene practices extends beyond the convenience of simply having facilities.
“WASH services make a major difference, particularly in health, education and socio-economic development.
“They prevent diseases and save lives, against the background of the fact that 5,000 children die daily due to infectious diarrhoea, which is caused primarily by poor sanitation and hygiene,’’ Akinjide said.
The minister said the sanitation task group was mandated to develop a stand-alone FCT Water Sanitation Policy and its implementation guidelines.
She said it would also raise awareness on water sanitation and hygiene, co-ordinate sanitation delivery at FCT level, monitor programme implementation and advocate for effective sanitation delivery in the territory.
Responding, the Chairman of the Task Group, Mr Tukur Bakori, who is the Director of Satellite Towns Development Agency (STDA), pledged the group’s determination to deliver on the task ahead.
Our crespodnent  recalls that the National Task Group on Sanitation (NTGS) was inaugurated in May 2002 by the Ministry of Water Resources to serve as the national coalition group on sanitation. It focuses only on the aspect of sanitation dealing with the management of human excreta and domestic waste water.

Executive Secretary, Gombe State Emergency Management Agency, Dr Arab Rukuje (right), with the Head, Department of Education and Social Development, Billiri Local Government Area, Malam Ibrahim Puma, presenting relief materials to victims of windstorm in Gombe State recently. Photo: NAN.