Water Aid with support from Latter- day saints Charities (LDSC) is launching a new “Strengthening Water and Sanitation Delivery” project in Nigeria to boost water and Sanitation delivery in Bauchi and Enugu States through providing increased access to clean water, as well as improved sanitation and hygiene behavior in target communities in both states.

The Country Director of Water Aid Nigeria, Evelyn Mere in her address stated that , It is unacceptable that only 9 percent of the Nigerian population have access to basic water and sanitation services, particularly amid the fight against COVID- 19 pandemic, where clean water and hygiene offer a vital first line of defence against the disease.

Mere emphasized that Water Aid believe that sustained transformational change can be achieved through expanded access to water, sanitation and hygiene. This will enable people to lead healthier lives and fulfill their potential. “We look forward to building progress in the water and sanitation sector as we venture into the implementation of the project to strengthen water and sanitation delivery in Enugu and Bauchi States”.

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She noted that while they commend the government’s efforts in WASH service delivery and systems strengthening, that Water Aid calls for expedite actions, to double investments in clean water, decent sanitation, and good hygiene so that we can build sustainable resilient services and communities that can deliver health and dignity for all, and ensure everyone including the most vulnerable in our society had the chance of a healthy and secure future.

The Governor of Enugu State Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi who was represented by the Permanent Secretary Ministry of Water Resources Enugu State Ada -John Nwoye, while launching the project commended the Latter Days Saints Charities for their healthy partnership with Enugu State government which began in may 2019 with construction of 15 bore holes in some communities in Enugu State.

He noted that “All these projects have actually impacted positively on our state through improvement in health conditions of our people and even empowered them for better living standard. “Today, in a bid to contribute your quota in strengthening government efforts towards improving and sustaining access to water, sanitation and hygiene”.

“The Latter Days Charities is indeed supporting Water Aid Nigeria to strengthen Institutional service delivery of improved and sustainable water and sanitation for Enugu State, in particular and Nigeria as a whole, with the overall aim of contributing in achieving some of the Sustainable Development Goals” he said.

Ugwuanyi thanked the president of the church, Jesus the Latter Days Saints Charities, Water Aid Nigeria, South Sahara Development Organization on the successful launch of the project, stressing that he hoped it will definitely have far reaching desired effect on the symbolic relationship already existing between the church and other patner – agencies with Enugu State government for better future.

The Commissioner for health Enugu State Ikechukwu Obi in his Goodwill message urged the Water Aid Nigeria to make sure they patner with the ministry of health for effective participation in providing access to clean water, sanitation and hygiene in the state, stressing that ministry of health have expertise who have the requisite to sanitation and hygiene.

He furthermore requested that the organization should provide the ministry of health with a desk officer that will always liase with the ministry to update them with their projects in order to achieve their goals and objectives.

During the launch, other various ministries and agencies were present and gave their own goodwill messages.