Keep Clean Environment, Get Potable Water, RUWESA Boss Tells Osun Communities

Programme Manager of the Rural Water and Environmental Sanitation Agency (RUWESA) in Osun State, Alhaji Olaposi Adiatu, has stressed the importance of clean environment.
He said in a statement that provision of potable water was essential, but it would be counterproductive if the environment is dirty.

Adiatu said, “It is the main reason the government in Osun is giving priority to the provision of potable water and robust system of sanitation. We have made it clear to our people that the only prerequisite for adequate provision of water in their communities is good sanitation.”

While speaking on the Millennium Development Goals’ projection to provide drinking water for all by 2015, the Osun RUWESA boss expressed reservations about attainment of the goal by the stipulated year.
“Take the case of Nigeria for instance, very few of the states are consistently complying with the laid down conditions for partnership by the development partners like we are doing in Osun.
“In the national policy on water and sanitation, every state is mandated to have three levels of institutions, one in the state, another one in the local government, and a community-based unit,’’ he said.
According to him, all the 30 local government areas have departments handling water and sanitation, and all the communities in the state have Water Sanitation and Hygiene Committee (WASHCOM), a sub-section of Community Development Association.
“WASHCOM has the obligation of sustaining the facilities for water and sanitation in the communities to make their environment hygienic and habitable.
“Our level of compliance in Osun has endeared us to these development partners, making them to partner with us continuously,” Adiatu said.
Adiatu added that the high degree of enlightenment had made the people’s adherence to hygiene rules and regulations very commendable.
He applauded Governor Rauf Aregbesola for creating the enabling environment for the agency to succeed.
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