By Marie-Therese Nanlong
Jos – With over 1,000 reported cases of cholera in Plateau state and 20 deaths in the last two months, Rotary Club in Fleetwood in collaboration with Transfer of Appropriate Sustainable Technology and Expertise, TASTE, and Overseas Fellowship of Nigerian Christians in the UK has provided 250,000 capacity water facility in Vwang communities.
Plateau State Commissioner for Water Resources and Energy, Saad Bello, commissioned of water facilities in some communities in Jos South local government area.
Availability of clean water for use will help to reduce the prevalence of water borne diseases.
The communities which included Rawuk, Turu, Chugwi and Vom Christian hospital, all in Vwang district of the area have suffered acute water shortage and poor sanitary conditions for years hence the resort to contaminated water.
It was also gathered that members of the communities were vulnerable to water borne disease as rampant cases of perforation of intestine are reported among children due to incessant typhoid fever which is left untreated.
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To mitigate the situation, Rotary club in Fleetwood, UK in collaboration with the Transfer of Appropriate Sustainable Technology and Expertise, TASTE as well as Overseas Fellowship of Nigerian Christians in the UK committed over N30million to provide potable water and toilet facilities to the communities.
A 250,000 capacity water facility in Vwang communities hit by acute water shortage provided by Rotary Club and partners.
Witnessing the handing over of the facilities to the communities, Bello, through the Permanent Secretary in the Ministry, Ezekiel Pam appreciated the donors for the gesture and assured the government will partner with the communities to maintain the facilities.
He said, “We are pleased with this investment, anybody or group that invests in providing water and sanitation has a key interest in life because water is life.
“This effort is complementing the government’s effort in providing water to the people. Access to water is key because we are trying to eradicate open defecation, the toilet facility will enhance the government’s effort in achieving that.
“Siting the project here is strategic because there is a primary school and a church here. We will partner these communities to ensure the facilities are maintained.”
The District Head of Vwang, Da Gyang Balak appreciated the donors and assured the facilities will be put to good use especially as water borne disease is a concern for the area.
Earlier, the Country Director TASTE Nigeria, Nuhu Chayi represented by the Programme Officer, Jonathan Makan said the gesture is aimed at improving the living condition of the people through the provision of safe drinking water and sanitation and promised that the gesture will be extended to other communities in the State.
The organization has trained 120 health facilitators to take care of the facilities.
