By Uzairu Dauda Bunga:
The District Head of Bauchi, Alhaji Nuru Adamu Jumba, has called on stakeholders in the water and sanitation sector to prioritize the provision of adequate water facilities and toilets in primary and secondary schools across Bauchi State.
This appeal is part of ongoing efforts to combat open defeacation and improve public health in the state.
Alhaji Adamu Jumba highlighted the severe sanitation challenges many schools face, to include lack of constructed toilets and inadequate water facilities, urged collaboration among key agencies, including the Rural and Urban Water and Sanitation Agency (RUWASSA), the Bauchi State Environmental Protection Agency (BASEPA), the Ministries of Environment, Water, and Education, and the State Universal Basic Education Board (SUBEB), emphasized the need for joint action to ensure better sanitation for children in schools and communities.
The district head commended the efforts of toilet business owners in reducing open defeacation, which he noted contributes to the spread of contagious diseases in communities.
The Ciroman Bauchi, congratulated Bauchi Local Government council for attaining Open Defecation Free status and encouraged authorities to sustain the milestone.
He called on residents to support the state government’s health initiatives aimed at reducing child mortality by improving sanitation.
Alhaji Adamu Jumba praised the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) Bauchi Field Office for its commitment to improving the lives of children and pregnant women in the state.
Meanwhile, the General Manager of the Bauchi State Community and Social Development Agency Alhaji Abubakar Sadik Muhammad, has reaffirmed the agency’s dedication to fight open defecation and providing inclusive health and education infrastructure across the state.
He explained that the CSDA, established to address community development needs through a participatory approach, focuses on sectors such as education, health, water supply, and erosion control, explained that, Communities are encouraged to request assistance by submitting formal applications to the agency.
Alhaji Sadik Muhammad further stated that the CSDA integrates environmental considerations into its projects, such as constructing schools and hospitals equipped with toilets and potable water, assured the public of the agency’s commitment to reinforcing these efforts to create a healthier and more conducive environment in schools and health facilities.
He also urged the general public to prioritize environmental sanitation and personal hygiene, especially during these challenging economic times, to reduce the financial burden of treating preventable diseases.,adding that, the renewed focus on water and sanitation aims to promote better health outcomes and improve the quality of life for residents of Bauchi State.
