The Society for Water and Sanitation (NEWSAN), in collaboration with the UNICEF-hosted Sanitation and Water for All global partnership (SWA), is urging Nigerian political leaders to incorporate climate considerations into the country’s water and sanitation services. The call to action came during a one-day multi-stakeholder consultative meeting in Abuja, which follows up on NEWSAN’s “WASH Charter of Demands” that was signed by over 130 political candidates during the 2023 elections.
The workshop aimed to leverage the charter to encourage newly elected government leaders to prioritize climate resilient water and sanitation services. During the workshop, NEWSAN's National Coordinator, Attah Benson, pointed out that climate change is exacerbating the vulnerability of health systems, stressing sanitation infrastructure, and leading to the contamination of water sources and the environment, thereby increasing the risk of disease.
The urgency is underscored by the fact that 48 million Nigerians still engage in open defecation, and only 8 percent of the population adheres to clean handwashing practices. To combat these challenges and achieve Nigeria's goal of becoming open defecation-free by 2024, Benson emphasized the need for improved public perception, increased political prioritization, adequate funding, and strong policies and institutions.
Ayaba Kogbara, representing the Federal Ministry of Water Resources and Sanitation, reaffirmed the government's commitment to ensuring universal access to clean water, sanitation facilities, and hygiene education, emphasizing the principle of leaving no one behind.
Anjani Kapoor, SWA’s CSO Global Coordination Manager stressed the importance of developing water and sanitation services that are sustainable, safe, and resilient to climate-related risks. This builds community resilience and helps countries adapt to the effects of climate change, she added.
SWA’s Senior Climate Advisor Jose Gesti also shared how Nigeria, which is a signatory to the Paris Agreement on Climate, can achieve some of its mitigation goals by investing in water and sanitation.
By addressing the nexus between climate change and water and sanitation, political leaders can mitigate health, environmental, and social risks, paving the way for a healthier, more sustainable future for all Nigerians.
Both the WASH Charter of Demands and the one-day workshop were supported through SWA’s "Justice Begins Here" campaign, aimed at ensuring equitable access to water and sanitation for all, especially the most vulnerable populations.
This article was supported by reporting from Radio Nigeria: https://radionigeria.gov.ng/2024/02/08/ngo-seeks-integration-of-climate-change-into-wash/