The WaterAid Nigeria on Tuesday inaugurated a rural water project at Rigar – Jeji, Hardawa Community in Misau Local Government Area of Bauchi State.

The project was being implemented by the WaterAid Nigeria with support of the Global Supply Chains and the DP World under its Sustainable Climate Resilient Water, Sanitation and Hygiene (WASH) programme.

Evelyn Mere, Country Director of the WaterAid Nigeria, said the project aimed at enhancing access to safe drinking water and sanitation services to improve public health.

She said that, ‘millions of women and girls are faced each day with the burden of traveling miles to collect water. Sadly, with the increasing impact of climate change on water, they are faced with a greater workload’.

Represented by Nanpet Chuktu, Head of WASH in the organisation, Mere said the project also focused at promoting women economic empowerment and encourage them to be part of the WASH decision-making processes in their communities.

According to Mere, the organisation is targetin
g 15,000 people with access to basic water supply services; 4,000 with hygiene behavior change interventions and 1,000 others with basic sanitation services in the state.

Also, Andre Bresler, the Managing Director, Logistics of the DP World, said the organisation in partnership with WaterAid Nigeria would address critical challenges militating against enhancing access to clean water, sanitation and hygiene services.

On his part, Garba Iliyasu, the District Head of Hardawa, lauded the project over the construction of the solar powered borehole in the community.

He said that the Rugar – Jeji community with an estimated 1,000 population, relied on three open walls for water supply..

Iliyasu said the solar-powered borehole and sanitation facilities provided in the community would address water scarcity and poor sanitation as well as improve the livelihoods of the people.

Source: News Agency of Nigeria