An institutional and policy expert for European Union supported Water Supply Sanitation Sector Reform Program (WSSSRP), Abass Kabru, has identified negligence of water facilities by communities and the resultant repeated vandalism of the property as major factors militating against a functional water board in Anambra State.
He said this during 1-day interactive session to mark the World Water Day held at Geology auditorium, Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Awka during which the relationship between water and sanitation, how to achieve Open Defecation Free in Anambra state as well as proper ways of recycling water were discussed.
Speaking further, Abass disclosed that communities not taking responsibility for the water scheme was a major debilitating factor in the establishment of a functional water scheme in the state.
He said that this is why the water scheme has been designed in such a way that the communities are asked to set aside fund to create and maintain the water schemes.
In his words, “The communities should not leave this for government to do this alone. They should ensure they protect their generator, solar panels and other facilities from being vandalised.”
He said that there is a cost sharing arrangement in the Anambra State water regulation policy which gives responsibility to the state, local government and the communities.
“What we are saying is that there is cost sharing arrangement for capital investments; to do the borehole. When the facilities are constructed, there is also a cost sharing arrangement particularly for the local government and the communities involved. There should be a set aside for buying diesel, fixing spoilt parts and such like which the local governments are supposed to help the communities in carrying out,” he said.
He, therefore, said that the role of the local government and communities in ensuring that the millions that would be spent on setting up the facilities would continue to function.
Abass said that there is collaboration between the European Union and Anambra state government to achieve this and that so far, Anambra state government has been complying as well as the communities.
“The governor, Willie Obiano has signed the water and sanitation law which is the document that will help the state improve water and sanitation” he said.
Some of the institutions are Anambra State Small Town Water and Sanitation Agency (STOWA), which is responsible for water and sanitation activities in small towns; communities with population between 5000 and 20,000 people; Urban Water Asset Holding Corporation that will take over from the moribund water corporation in the state.
It is intended to go into partnership with private companies to ensure that people in urban towns in the state will have access to safe water which will facilitate good sanitation.
It was observed that of 21 local governments, it is only Aguata and Anambra East that have a proper structure where the Community Led Total Sanitation (CTLS) activities are going on.
From Obinna Odogwu, Ekwulobia
