USAID is supporting Nigeria with $60.4m E-WASH activity for increased access to clean water
The Humanitarian Post
July, 17, 2020- The U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) is supporting Nigeria through its $60.4 million Effective Water, Sanitation, and Hygiene Services (E-WASH) activity to increase access to clean water and reduce disease
The U.S Agency notes that over four years, E-WASH will spur the mobilization of an additional $50 million from public and private sources and will also provide access to piped clean water to at least 50,000 households.
In a statement by the Public Affairs Department of the U.S Embassy in Abuja on Friday, USAID has entered into partnership with the Imo govt. in furtherance of this course.
The Memorandum of Understanding was signed virtually between USAID’s Mission Director Stephen Haykin and Governor Hope Uzodinma of Imo.
The Memorandum of Understanding outlines commitments between USAID and Imo State to jointly develop a professionally managed, commercially oriented, and accountable state Water Board.
This will be accomplished by improving the Water Board’s financial viability, and strengthening policy, institutional, and regulatory frameworks for better WASH service delivery.
Haykin said that “by strengthening the Water Board’s capacity to make solid investment decisions, improve billing and collection systems, and improve responsiveness to customer needs.
“USAID, through E-WASH, will help increase access to clean water and reduce waterborne disease in Imo State, feeding into our mutual goal of creating a healthier, more economically robust Nigeria”.
According to the statement, after formal declaration of corporatization of the new Imo State Water and Sewerage Corporation, Governor Uzodinma, promised to announce the board of directors at a later date said
It stated that Uzodinma acknowledged that up to 85 percent of Imo’s rural constituents lack access to a reliable source of running water .
The Governor expressed hope that within a year the activity could reach up to 100,000 residents of the state.
“This project is consistent with the goals of my administration to ensure that the welfare of my people is advanced and protected.
“Therefore, I commit our cooperation to ensure this project is delivered. We are also committed to running the Imo Water Board as a business to ensure its commercial viability,” Uzodima said.
The U.S Agency says it is supporting six states, Imo and five other states on this activity and Delta, Abia and Taraba States have all signed similar agreements.
E-WASH is one component of a wider USAID effort to foster closer coordination with federal and state government agencies to advance broad-based economic growth and resilience in Nigeria through improved WASH services.