Water Aid blames LGs on failure of Water and
Water Aid Nig. says lack of financial commitment by local governments is responsible for the poor implementation of water and sanitation programme in 2006.
Speaking to News Agency of Nigeria(NAN) in Abuja, the publicity officer of the organisation, Mr Bankole Ebisemiju,said the mechanism employed to implement the policy at the community level was frustrated by the local government.
According to him, recent studies by the organisation revealed that more than half of local government councils in the country could not render any financial contribution to any project initiated under the programme.
``It is a sad situation that local governments are yet to respond to the need of the communities who are in need of potable drinking water,'' he said.
Ebisemiju, explained that the water and sanitation policy document had placed local governments and community based association as the co-partners of federal government in the programme.
`` If care is not taken, the policy will continue to suffer serious set back and endanger the life of Nigerians,'' he said.
The spokesman said the intervention of water Aid in Nigeria was to salvage communities from hazards associated with drinking water. ``We have already worked out a strategy to increase access to sustainable sanitation and hygiene, as well as promote service for the poor in the target areas,'' he said.
He said the objective of the strategy was to achieve a direct water supply and sanitation to 84 communities in 2007 and 100 communities in 30 local governments for six states.
Ebisemiju, said currently the organisation was working in six states namely,Bauchi, Benue, Ekiti, Enugu, Jigawa and Plateau.
He appealed to states and local governments and other stakeholders in water sector to cooperate with the organisation.
NAN reports that Water Aid, an international NGO commenced its operation in 1996 to help communities access to safe water and effective sanitation hygiene promotion through partnership in Nigeria.