By Rotimi Idris
In a renewed effort to eliminate open defecation and strengthen sanitation practices across communities, the Ekiti State Sustainable Urban, Rural Water Supply, Sanitation and Hygiene (SURWASH) Programme has trained Water, Sanitation and Hygiene Committees (WASHCOMs), Water Consumer Associations (WCAs) and Grievance Redress Committees (GRCs) on environmental and social safeguards.
Speaking during the two-day capacity building workshop, the Environmental Officer, Tolu Osundare, highlighted the programme’s commitment to environmental and social safeguards, ensuring that all facilities are constructed in safe, sustainable locations.
During the practical field component of the training, participants engaged directly with the SURWASH team to identify potential environmental and social risks at project sites and to reinforce their roles in community monitoring and reporting.
In his opening remarks at forum, the State Programme Coordinator of SURWASH, Steven Adewunmi, emphasized the importance of the training to the long-term success of the SURWASH initiative.
“This training is designed to help us understand our responsibilities in sustaining access to clean water and improved sanitation. It is also a platform for open dialogue, where everyone can raise concerns and share ideas that will make the program a success” , he stated.
He urged participants to take ownership of SURWASH projects in their communities and ensure proper maintenance for Sustainability of all facilities constructed under the program.
he SURWASH Monitoring and Evaluation Officer in the State, Olorunfemi Olatunji explained the key Disbursement Linked Indicators (DLIs) used to assess the progress of the project to participants.
He highlighted DLI 5, which focuses on households provided with improved sanitation facilities, and DLI 6, which tracks communities that have achieved and sustained Open Defecation Free (ODF) status.
“A house without a toilet is an incomplete project. Our goal is to ensure that every household has improved sanitation and every community achieves ODF status that is maintained over time”. he added.
The SURWASH Sanitation officer, Bunmi Olaseeni spoke on the crucial roles of Water Sanitation and Hygiene Committee members and Water Consumers Association in promoting good hygiene practices, explaining how poor sanitation and open defecation contaminate water sources, farms and food, spreading dangerous diseases.
“Improved toilets prevent disease transmission. Let us make it a community goal that no household practices open defecation”.
The General Manager of the Ekiti State Water and Sanitation Regulatory Agency, Engr. Ayodele Osalade, urged participants to become advocates for improved hygiene and the fight against open defecation, saying: “We must take personal responsibility to make our communities open defecation free.
“Every home should have at least one improved toilet. Clean environments lead to healthy living and prosperity”.
