State governments and their implementing agencies have been urged to show renewed commitment towards the implementation of the Sustainable Urban, Rural Water Supply, Sanitation and Hygiene programme, for the benefit of the people.
Mr. Abdulhamid Gwaram, SURWASH National Programme Coordinator, made this call at the Meeting on Environmental and Social Safeguard for the SURWASH programme in Abuja on Monday.
The News Agency of Nigeria reports that the Federal Government had received $700m financing from the World Bank to ensure that all its people have access to sustainable and safely managed WASH services.
The seven participating states are Delta, Ekiti, Gombe, Imo, Katsina, Kaduna and Plateau.
Gwaram said the innovative approach through Program-for-Results (PforR), ensured that the focus was on results and impacting the lives of the people.
According to him, the major problem is the constant belief that programmes should be left to project offices alone, thereby reducing the impact that would have been achieved.
“We are calling on states and implementing agencies to show more commitment by driving this programme.
“A lot of them rely so much on state project offices to do things, which is not what it’s supposed to be; they are supposed to be in the driver’s seat, and that is why we are pushing them to do.
“We know there is a challenge of capacity. That’s what we are doing here today to expose them to issues of environmental safeguard and occupational health and safety.”
The national coordinator said the World Bank programme was not designed to have counterpart funds, saying states were meant to implement these programmes with their own financing.
He said the programme, as part of its social safeguard concerns, ensured that only areas with low-security risk were targeted, saying more awareness and understanding of the programme would be promoted for the benefit of implementing states.
Dr Victor Nwachukwu, a facilitator on the Occupational Health and Safety Management and Waste Management Framework, said Nigeria has to improve occupational health and safety standards in all sectors.
According to him, there is a need to go beyond blaming people for inaction in emergencies and identify root causes and how to address them.
Nwachukwu said having OHSMF departments and systems in place would go a long way towards addressing disputes, and employment issues for sustainable growth and development.
“Nigeria is signatory to a lot of international agreements and laws on occupational health and safety; what we lack are guidelines that are fit for purpose.
“The top management also has a lot to do; there must be deliberate efforts and commitments that should be reflected in policies, programmes, and procedures”.
NAN reports that the SURWASH Programme is projected to provide 6 million Nigerians with basic drinking water services and support 1.4 million in accessing improved sanitation services.
It is also aimed at developing improved WASH services in 2,000 schools and Health Care facilities and assisting 500 communities in achieving ODF status.
According to the World Bank, implementing partners must adhere to environmental and safety standards in all programme implementations.
Known as the Environmental and Social System Assessment, it is to ensure that projects are carried out in a sustainable manner.
The protocols of Environmental and Social in PforR financing projects, ensured the management of land acquisition and loss of access to natural resources.
This, the bank says, would avoid or minimise displacement, and assist affected people in improving their livelihoods and living standards.
“There is the need for improvement in programme implementation; some construction sites need to be cordoned off, and construction materials need to be covered.
“Temporary facilities (e.g., toilets and other required conveniences) should be provided for the students; there is the need to provide appropriate caution signs on all project sites.
“There should be minimum distance between drinking water and septic tank location, the public and workers’ safety against the potential risk factors should be provided
“Labourers should be trained on safety, including Personal Protective Equipment usage, among others,” as quoted in the bank’s ESSA protocol.
(NAN)
