NEWARI, in collaboration with WaterAid Nigeria and UNICEF Nigeria, presented a Communique on the State WASH Policy, in line with the African Sanitation Policy Guideline (ASPG), to Enugu State Government. The communique was the outcome of a joint Reflection Session of members of the Enugu State WASH Coordination Platform, comprising all Stakeholders in Enugu WASH sector. The Reflection Session was held from 13th – 14th June 2024.
The WASH Sector Coordination platform is headed by the Honourable Commissioner, Enugu State Ministry of Water Resources and members of the platform include all line MDAs with WASH-related functions/roles, development partners supporting the state in the area of WASH, CSOs, NGOs, and private investors in the state WASH sector.
The State WASH Policy, which is still at its drafting stage, provides guidance and framework for decision-making and WASH services provision in Enugu State.
- To deepen understanding of the ASPG’s policy process and trigger discussions around the shift from basic sanitation to Safely Managed Sanitation (SMS).
- To further engage women and vulnerable groups to make input to the ongoing process of developing the Enugu State WASH Policy.
- To deepen understanding and integration of concrete gender and protection issues into the policy development process.
- To develop a sanitation advocacy plan
Recognizing that sanitation and hygiene have been “downplayed”, especially as it concerns fecal sludge management, and lack of synergy amongst WASH stakeholders in the efforts to improve WASH services in Enugu State, some of the resolutions and recommendations as contained in the communique include:
- The state Ministry of Water Resources to prioritize the development and passage of the Enugu State ODF Roadmap, and WASH policy to set direction and strategy for the attainment of SDGs 6 in the State.
- The State Ministry of Environment, in collaboration with the state ministry of water resources, should liaise with key stakeholders to develop, validate, and disseminate a guideline for WASH facilities standards, technology, and designs in the state.
- Need for stronger synergy and collaboration between the private sector and the state government in Waste for Wealth development.
- The State government through its policies and regulations should create an enabling environment for investors in waste-to-wealth.
- The government should galvanize Civil Society Organizations, Development Partners and the private sector to implement projects along the fecal sludge value chain.
- The state government, through its Ministry of Environment, should employ Environmental Health Officers (EHOs) in the State and LGAs as the last set of EHOs recruited in the state will be retiring in 2025.
- The WASH Sector Coordination platform should be formalized with clear Terms of Reference by the government. And that her secretariat should be domiciled at the Ministry of Water Resources with the Permanent Secretary or a senior officer of the Ministry appointed to coordinate and report on the activities of the platform while political appointees strengthen and support the platform to function effectively.
- In line with the vision of the state governor to reposition the WASH sector for efficient service delivery, critical meetings of WASH stakeholders should be attended by high-level executives and government stakeholders (Commissioners, Permanent Secretaries), and not their representatives.
- Enugu State Ministry of Water Resources
- Enugu State Ministry of Children, Gender Affairs and Social Development
- Enugu State Economic Planning Commission
- Enugu State Universal Basic Education Board (ENSUBEB)
- Special Adviser (SPA) to the Governor on Donor Relations
- Senior Special Assistant (SSA) to the Governor on WASH
- Ogechi Enwelum, Enugu State Coordinator – Society for Water and Sanitation (NEWSAN)
- Joint Association of Persons with Disability (JONAPWD)
- Dr. Olachi Chuks- Ronnie – Southern Nigeria Regional Coordinator, FCDO
- Bolatito Gabriel – UNICEF WASH Specialist, Enugu field office
- Market Women Association
- Institute for Development Studies, University of Nigeria, Enugu Campus
- Amb. Amaka Nweke – Network of Water Rights Initiative (NEWARI)
- Prof. Obioma Nworgu-Global Health Awareness and Research Foundation (GHARF)
- South Saharan Social Development Organization
- WaterAid Nigeria
- Media representatives.
