UNICEF and EU on Wednesday said they would
jointly spend N220 million on water and sanitation in Kebbi in the next two years
to provide water for the people.
Mohammad Mohuiddin, the North West UNICEF Chief in Sokoto State, made the disclosure in Birnin Kebbi during a news conference to mark the 2017 World Water Day with the theme “why waste water’’.
Held annually on March 22 as a means of focusing attention on the importance of fresh water and advocating for sustainable management of fresh water resources, World Water Day was recommended at the 1992 UN Conference on Environment and Development (UNCED) in Rio de Janeiro.
The UN General Assembly responded by designating March 22, 1993 as the first World Water Day.
Consequently, the UN General Assembly adopted resolution A/RES/47/193 of Dec. 22, 1992, declaring March 22 of each year as World Day for Water, starting in 1993, in conformity with the recommendations of the UN Conference on Environment and Development (UNCED), contained in Chapter 18 (Fresh Water Resources) of Agenda 21.
The North West UNICEF chief, therefore, said that the money would be spent on interventions to address poor coverage of water and sanitation at primary health centres.
Mohuiddin added that part of the money would be used to invest in water and sanitation provision in health facilities to promote hand washing at critical times.
The chief explained that UNICEF and EU, in line with Northern Nigeria context, would focus on sustaining access to safe drinking water and cultivating water saving culture in urban and rural communities.
He said the two bodies would work toward increasing access to safe drinking water for communities, schools, health institutions, markets, offices, industries and other public offices.
He added that “UNICEF reaffirms its commitment to ensure that children’s access to safe water for drinking is a priority.” (NAN)
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