By Donald Ojebo
Communities housing government projects have been called on to take ownership of such projects and ensure they are preserved and not allowed to be vandalized as such projects were established for their own benefit.
The Ag. Programme Coordinator, Delta State Urban and Rural Water Supply, Sanitation and Hygiene Programme, Engr. Clement Adiotomre made the call in Ughelli during a sensitization visit to the Council Area by officers of Delta State Urban and Rural Water Supply, Sanitation and Hygiene Programme as part of activities to mark the 2025 World Water Day.
The Coordinator, represented by the Quality Control Officer, Paula Nwokolo said the SURWASH Programme is the Federal government’s efforts to ensure that citizens have access to sustainable and safely managed Water Supply, Sanitation and Hygiene (WASH) services.
He disclosed that the Programme is being implemented in seven States in the country namely Katsina, Kaduna, Plateau, Gombe, Ekiti, Imo and Delta with six Council areas as prioritized LGAs namely Bomadi, Okpe, Ughelli North, Isoko South, Ndokwa West and Ukwuani.
“On March 22, 2025, Nigeria joined the global community in commemorating World Water Day under the theme "Glacier Preservation." Although this part of the world Nigeria lacks glaciers, the government of the day emphasized the broader implications of glacier melting, such as rising sea levels and freshwater shortages, which can indirectly affect us as people.
“The commemoration of the world water day served as a platform to reaffirm our dedication to improving WASH services statewide. Through the participation in SURWASH and its integration into the broader context of global water challenges, Delta State aims to enhance water security, promote public health, and build resilience against climate-induced water issues.
During the interactive session, residents of Otvwodo community who were part of the participants commended the Delta State Urban and Rural Water Supply, Sanitation and Hygiene Programme for the construction of a water scheme in their community and also called for its extension to enable more persons to benefit from the scheme.
They also used the medium to solicit for government’s assistance in the area of major repairs and maintenance of the project as they on their part are ready to play their role as it concerns the routine maintenance of same water scheme to ensure continuous flow and availability of water in the public taps.
Some participants decried the poor sanitation habits being exhibited by some persons who indulge in the indiscriminate disposal of their waste into the drains with its attendant negative impacts on residents and called on the government to step up campaigns against such behaviours.
There were paper presentations to drive home the point for proper water management practices with participants drawn from the Water Supply, Sanitation and Hygiene Committees (WASCOMs), Water Consumer Association (WCA), Youth group, Women group, WASH Unit in the Council, NGO/CSO, School Head among others.
Officers of the Delta State Urban and Rural Water Supply, Sanitation and Hygiene Programme, with some participants in a group photograph during a sensitization programme as part of activities to mark the 2025 World Water Day in Ughelli.
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