Ibrahim Muhammad
The Jigawa State Government has identified over 816 communities in two local government areas to benefit from a pilot Sanitation Voucher Programme, which will provide free improved latrines for vulnerable households. The initiative aims to sustain the state’s Open Defecation Free (ODF) status.
The Managing Director of the Rural Water Supply and Sanitation Agency (RUWASA), Engr. Abubakar Sidi, disclosed this during a training session for state and local government officials, as well as Toilet Business Owners (TBOs), on sanitation marketing and voucher implementation.
Engr. Sidi explained that the programme seeks to promote the adoption of improved household toilets as part of efforts to maintain Jigawa’s ODF gains. “Jigawa was declared ODF in October 2022, after validators visited over 10,800 communities and certified them ODF,” he said.
He added that the initiative aligns with Governor Umar Namadi’s 12-point agenda, which prioritizes access to potable water and sanitation facilities. According to him, the state government has approved ₦10 million to pilot the programme in Birnin Kudu and Sule Tankarkar Local Government Areas, with plans to expand it to other LGAs after assessing its impact.
Engr. Sidi noted that the project would help address post-ODF challenges such as the collapse of latrines due to loose soil, flooding, and other environmental factors. Beneficiaries will include vulnerable persons such as widows, the elderly, and people with disabilities.
Also speaking, Attah Samuel Itodo, the State WASH Facilitator supporting Kano, Jigawa, and Katsina States, said the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) is partnering with Jigawa State to train TBOs and local government staff.
He explained that closing the sanitation gap would ensure the long-term sustainability of the state’s ODF status.
He added that the collaboration aims to support rural communities in adopting climate-resilient toilet technologies, which will further strengthen Jigawa’s progress in maintaining a clean and healthy environment.
