GHI DONATES TOOLBOXES AND MOTORCYCLES TO IMPROVE OPERATIONS AND MAINTENANCE OF WASH FACILITIES IN KEBBI AND SOKOTO STATES.
INTRODUCTION
As part of the I-WASH sustainability program, Green Habitat Initiative (GHI) provided five (5) borehole-repair toolboxes to two water, sanitation and hygiene enterprises to support their work in providing maintenance services. In addition, two (2) motorcycles were also donated to each social enterprise in Kebbi and Sokoto States.
Furthermore, to strengthen the activities of the LGA WASH units that were established in Kebbi (Gwandu, Argungu, Kalgo) and Sokoto (Yabo and Silame) States, a motorcycle was donated to each of the 5 LGAs. The motorcycles will support the LGA WASH units in accessing communities to sustain the public health campaigns as well as promote ownership and maintenance of water facilities.
The equipment were handed over to the recipients at an event hosted by the Sokoto State Rural Water Supply and Sanitation Agency (RUWASSA) on 15th June 2023. During the presentation of the equipment, the Chief of Party of the I-WASH reminded the audience about the importance of promoting sustainability in WASH programs. He noted that the toolboxes and motorcycles were provided to incentivize and strengthen the capacities of the WASH social enterprises and the LGA WASH units, the two being part of the sustainability mechanisms of the I-WASH representing the public and private sectors.
The Executive Secretary of Sokoto RUWASSA, Engr. Sidi Abbas drew the attention of the recipients to the aims and objectives of the items that were being given to them. In his remarks, he noted that “the equipment here is not your private properties nor should they be used as such. These are entrusted to you to improve your capacity in providing the service that you are committed and paid to provide”. On a similar note, the representative of the General Manager of Kebbi State RUWASSA, Hajiya Labiba Abubakar, admonishes the recipients to handle the equipment with care and diligence. The respective heads of Kebbi and Sokoto RUWASA expressed their profound appreciation to USAID and GHI for the donation.
In their acceptance speech, each recipient expressed appreciation and the relevance of the donation, noting how impactful the motorcycles will be to supporting their work. The LGA WASH Unit of Gwandu, Mr Farouk Ladan noted that their work of paying regular visits to the communities will improve with the provision of the motorcycles. Furthermore, the tools provided will enable them to carry out necessary repairs without having to incur a lot of costs which the communities or the LGA may not be able to cater to.
