From Owen Akenzua, Asaba
Small Towns Water Supply and Sanitation Agency, STOWASSA, Delta State, has concluded a three-day water stakeholders engagement tour of communities.
During the engagement tour, Mrs Endurance Magini, who led the STOWASSA team, informed leaders and elders that the engagement became necessary to enable STOWASSA gather information and data to aid effective planning, leading to the provision of potable water to deserving communities.
At Isumpe Utagba-Uno community, Ndokwa West Local Government Area, the team’s first port of call, Magini declared that, “Water is life”, adding that “our team had identified and noted your existing failed water scheme for rehabilitation. This is in line with the developmental agenda of the Delta State government and its World Bank partners.
“The state government, through STOWASSA, is committed to ensuring that small communities enjoy the benefits of a functioning water scheme,” she said.
A consultant and member of the team, Mrs Ann Elue, also addressed the gathering at Isumpe. “The use of water is very important to ensure proper sanitation and hygiene. I urge the people of this community to practice cleanliness and prioritise washing of hands after using the toilet. This promotes good health and prevents diseases,” the consultant said.
In continuation of the tour at Adeje Secondary School in Okpe Local Government Area, Magini told the staff and students that, “The team has taken note of your water needs. We are going to include it in our plans,” she assured.
Speaking at Uzere Secondary School, Isoko South and Ogor Technical College Ughelli North Local Government Areas, Mrs Magini advised the students against open defecation. She added that STOWASSA will provide water to improve their well-being and make Delta State Open Defecation Free.
As the stakeholders engagement continues, team members who took turns to speak repeated similar calls to the communities visited. They charged them to form Water Consumers Association, WCA, Grievance Redress Mechanism, GRM, and others as may be required going forward.
Community leaders and school officials in their various responses, lauded the state government and World Bank, describing the partnership as beneficial while calling for its sustenance.
