NEWSAN Intensifies Campaign for Water Sanitation and Hygiene in Plateau

The Society for Water Sanitation and Hygiene has continued to seek more collaboration to better the wellbeing of Plateau citizens through safe Water Sanitation and Hygiene.

As parts of their efforts, NEWSAN who are seen as the gate keepers of health and wealth in Plateau State were in the office of the General Manager, Jos Water Services Corporation for an advocacy visit recently.

Speaking during the advocacy visit, Plateau State Coordinator of NEWSAN, Dr. Vings Lomak who led the NEWSAN team said they were in the office to address some critical issues of life, that borders on water sanitation and hygiene, (WASH), which is the gateway to health and wealth for every individual, organization and community.

He explained to the General Manager, Engineer Apollos Samchi and his management team that the Society for Water Sanitation and Hygiene is a national network of Civil Society Organizations, (CSOs), who are driving WASH governance and impacting the entire State.

“Suffice to say that our areas of intervention focuses on contributing to the attainment of the global development agenda, christened Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), with particular attention on SDGs 6,5 and 17 as main areas, while touching on many other goals as a multiplier effect or cutting development like peace, climate change and rural development, to mention but few.

“All these goals and their respective target are meant to be attained by the year 2030 at the global level while 2025 is the national target date in Nigeria.” He added.

During the visit, NEWSAN seek collaboration with Jos Water Services Corporation in the areas of information sharing and consultation services, capacity building, training, awareness creation, Boreholes drilling and repairs among others.

Dr. Vings used the visit and advised the corporation to get the water sector law of the state, study and use it as their guide and encouraged them to continue with the coordination meeting for all partners and implementation agencies as well engage CSOs on budget training and implementation.

Responding, the General Manager of the Jos Water Services Corporation, Engr. Apollos Samchi while appreciating his guests, said they have no option than to work together with Society for Water Sanitation in order to achieve the set goals.

He said, “you have enumerated a lot of very critical issues. I want to tell you that Jos Water Services Corporation as you may know is a very critical establishment in water service provision.

” Thank God that you advised us to refer to water sector law which was signed in 2019, I want to tell you that, that is our Vehicle.” He said.

He added that the Plateau State Water Sector law 2019, gave birth to the Jos Water Services Corporation which before now was under Plateau State Water Board and their functions are spread across the state.

Samchi noted that to some extent they have not been able to function very well under the Plateau State Water Board because of the areas of coverage.

He appreciated Governor Caleb Mutfwang for creating an enabling environment for them to function well and serve the people in area of water services and promised to improve on their services.