The Society for Water and Sanitation, an NGO on Sunday called for private sectors’ investment in the Water, Sanitation and Hygiene (WASH) sector.
National Coordinator of the Group, Mr Benson Attah, made the call in a statement, in Abuja to commemorate the 2017 Global Hand washing Day, with the Theme: “Our Hands, Our future”.
He said that this would help towards promoting hand washing and prevent outbreak, spread and death from hand transmitted diseases.
According to him, the private sector could show increased concern and commitment by supporting the WASH implementation strategies in the country towards overall disease prevention.
Attah also called on all stakeholders in the water, sanitation and hygiene sector to ensure that hand washing is made a continuous campaign rather than observing it once in a year in order to prevent the outbreak, spread and death from hand transmitted diseases.
He said the whole essence of the Global Hand Washing Day celebration was to encourage everyone to imbibe the culture and practice of being conscious of hand washing at critical times.
He said this would to ensure that citizens’ lives, health and well being are improved and sustained in line with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
“But our goals would not be achieved without every stakeholder being concerned and committed to the plight and well-being of the citizens, he said.”
Attah said the group was aware the Federal Government, through the Federal Ministry of Water Resources and Development Partners, have been making efforts and supporting the provision of required water, sanitation, hygiene services and facilities across the states.
He however said it was disappointing to note that some state governments have not been sensitive to the plight and conditions of their citizens whom they made promises to, particularly during electioneering campaigns and before their elections.
“It is very surprising to note that the state governments in question failed to honour their commitments to their citizens as well as dis-honouring the commitment entered into with development partners providing access to water, sanitation and hygiene services to their citizen in spite interventions by the Federal Ministry of Water Resources.
“The failure of some of the state governments to honour the agreement entered into with development partners have led to some partners suspending projects in such states.
“Others are threatening to discontinue with their projects and had given deadlines for withdrawal.
“We wish to seize this opportunity to remind Nigerians that our hands play a major role in determining what happens to our life, health and well-being now and in the future.
“The day is designed to encourage every citizen, regardless of his or her age, sex or social status, to know and always remember to wash their hands at critical times such as, before, during and after preparing food, before eating, before and after caring for sick person.
“Other critical times are; before and after treating a cut or wound , after using the toilets, after changing diapers or cleaning up a child who has used the toilet, after blowing your nose, coughing or sneezing.
“Also, after touching animal, animal feed or animal waste, after handling pet or pet food and after touching garbage,” Attah said.
