Bwari: WaterAid Nigeria has commenced the third phase of its Water, Sanitation, and Hygiene (WASH) intervention in Bwari Area Council of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT). The one-year project, titled ‘Strengthening Water and Sanitation Delivery in Abuja, Year-3,’ aims to enhance sustainable WASH services across selected communities.
According to News Agency of Nigeria, Mr. Onaivi Orisaremi, WaterAid’s Fundraising Officer, stated that the initiative would expand access to WASH services in underserved communities and suburbs within Bwari Area Council. The intervention builds on gains recorded in the first and second phases, deepening access and strengthening sustainability mechanisms. The project will involve the construction or rehabilitation of three water facilities and one sanitation facility, likely to be sited in a school.
The intervention is expected to provide clean water to about 6,000 residents, while 450 schoolchildren will benefit from improved sanitation facilities. In addition, 3,000 residents will be reached through hygiene promotion and behavior change campaigns aimed at reducing waterborne diseases. Orisaremi emphasized the importance of hygiene education in reducing disease burden and stated that three community WASH management structures would be established to oversee operations and maintenance as part of sustainability measures.
Mr. Obinna Ogbodo, WaterAid’s Project Manager and Sanitation and Hygiene Coordinator, mentioned that communities would be selected based on identified WASH gaps, population size, accessibility, and security considerations. Three communities and one school are targeted under the current phase. Beyond infrastructure delivery, the project will train community WASH structures on operations, maintenance, hygiene promotion, and water safety planning. Communities will also be supported to implement water safety plans and conduct basic water quality testing using locally produced hydrogen sulphide vials.
He noted that the Area Council and the FCT Rural Water Supply and Sanitation Agency (RUWASSA) have budget provisions for counterpart contributions but stressed the need for timely fund release. Ogbodo assured that WaterAid would continue engaging relevant departments to strengthen WASH service delivery in Bwari.
Mr. Matthew Abu, Assistant Director of Planning at RUWASSA, who represented the Director, Mrs. Epenesi Abigail, said the agency provides technical and institutional support. RUWASSA conducts geophysical surveys to determine appropriate borehole locations and prevent contamination, ensuring water facilities are sited safely, away from sanitation facilities, to guarantee safe water for communities.
Ibrahim Yusuf, the traditional ruler of Bwari Area Council, urged residents to take ownership of the infrastructure provided to ensure proper maintenance. He pledged continued community support and collaboration for the sustainability of the intervention.