WaterAid and Lagos State Government Collaborate to Bolster Sanitation and Water Infrastructure on World Toilet Day
LAGOS/Nigeria: In commemoration of World Toilet Day 2023, WaterAid and the Lagos State Government joined forces to inaugurate a monumental initiative aimed at enhancing sanitation and water accessibility within local communities. The initiative encompasses the unveiling of a newly installed 6,000-litre solar-powered borehole, revitalization of seven compartments of toilets, and the establishment of handwashing stations across Community and LGA Primary schools in Ijegun.
Evelyn Mere, Country Director of WaterAid Nigeria, emphasized the significance of this commissioning within the framework of World Toilet Day. She highlighted the collaborative effort’s pivotal role in benefitting approximately 2000 school children and staff within the Community and LGA II Primary Schools in Ijegun, underlining the project’s execution as part of the ‘Water, Sanitation, and Hygiene Improvement Project’ funded by the PepsiCo Foundation.
“This initiative stands as a beacon of hope, impacting at least 173,000 individuals with access to clean water, improved sanitation, and comprehensive hygiene promotion over its three-year duration,” mentioned Mere, accentuating the transformative impact on learning and attendance, especially among girls, due to enhanced access to these facilities.
Beyond infrastructure development, Mere underscored WaterAid’s commitment to fortifying community structures. The organization facilitated training for over 20 female local area mechanics and established a Water, Sanitation, and Hygiene Committee (WASHCOM) tasked with maintaining and operating the newly implemented facilities.
Highlighting prevalent challenges, Mere spotlighted staggering statistics, noting that millions in Nigeria lack basic drinking water, handwashing facilities with soap, adequate toilets, and resort to open defecation. Lagos State, she highlighted, only sees 36% of schools equipped with fundamental water, sanitation, and hygiene services, as per the WASHNORMS 2021 report.
Mere stressed the pivotal role of clean water and decent sanitation in promoting hygiene and fostering better health outcomes among students and staff. She advocated for sustained investments in these crucial areas to prevent educational setbacks due to inadequate WASH facilities.
PepsiCo Foundation’s President and Global Head of Social Impact, C.D Glin, lauded the partnership’s impactful strides in Lagos State, reflecting on over 15 years of collaboration that has benefitted more than 80 million people. Glin reiterated their commitment toward achieving the pep+ goal of reaching 100 million individuals with safe water access by 2030.
The Chairman of Ikotun Igando LCDA, Mr. Lasis Akinsanya, expressed profound gratitude to PepsiCo Foundation and WaterAid for situating the project within the LCDA. He affirmed the LCDA’s dedication to maintaining and safeguarding the facilities, extending an invitation for further collaborative projects.
The event, graced by representatives from various governmental bodies, witnessed student performances demonstrating their understanding and practice of personal hygiene. The unveiling of the project by Chairman Akinsanya served as the event’s pinnacle, marking a significant stride in bolstering sanitation and water infrastructure within Lagos State.
