The federal government, through the ministry of water resources and sanitation, has underscored the critical importance of adhering to strict standards and specifications in the execution of projects within the Partnership for Expanded Water Supply, Sanitation and Hygiene (PEWASH) Programme, aimed at benefiting rural communities.
Dr. Nicholas Dumebi Madu, who is the director of water supply in the ministry, made this known in Abuja on Thursday during the 2022/2023 PEWASH project implementation take-off meeting.
He pointed out that the initiative focuses on constructing solar-powered boreholes in the five states of Kaduna, Katsina, Delta, Gombe and Nasarawa, as part of the ministry’s “counterpart projects matching,” in alignment with PEWASH protocols.
Dr. Madu clarified that the purpose of the meeting was to acquaint contractors and stakeholders with the programme’s objectives and to emphasize the significance of executing contracts in strict compliance with established standards.
According to him, “we are committed to ensuring the quality of services provided to the Nigerian people and contractors will be held strictly accountable for meeting these standards. We will accept nothing less than the specifications outlined in our official documents.”
He further highlighted that the take-off meeting aligns with PEWASH’s mandate as a national collaborative effort, working in partnership with stakeholders to bridge the gap in water supply and sanitation within rural communities with the ultimate goal of enhancing public health and alleviating poverty.
Dr. Madu also pointed out the challenges within the water, sanitation, and hygiene (WASH) sector, specifically on the issues relating to water supply failure due to non-compliance with contract specifications and poor construction practices, which often lead to abandoned systems.
He congratulated the successful contractors and stressed the ministry’s recognition of the importance of delivering high-quality and timely projects to the beneficiary communities. He made it clear that deviations from contract specifications, terms and conditions, as well as delays in project execution, will not be tolerated.
He called on all stakeholders to strictly adhere to established guidelines, ensuring the ministry prompt certification of jobs and payments for completed work.
In her welcome address, Mrs. J.U Wakaso, the national coordinator of PEWASH, highlighted the programme’s primary goal of improving rural water supply and sanitation to align with Sustainable Development Goal 6, aimed at increasing access to water supply and sanitation and reducing the number of people suffering from preventable water and sanitation-related diseases in rural areas.
Mrs. Wakaso mentioned that the PEWASH programme began its implementation in the two states of Kano and Ogun in the year 2016 and has since expanded to 19 states across the six geopolitical zones of Nigeria.
According to her, this expansion demonstrates the ministry’s unwavering commitment to fulfilling the programme’s objectives.
The meeting was marked by an engaging interaction with PEWASH stakeholders during the technical session
