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Bauchi State Deputy Governor, Sen Baba Tela in a group photograph with the UNICEF team
By Akanji Alowolodu, Bauchi
Bauchi State Government has been applauded by the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) for the tremendous progress so far made in the implementation of programmes on water, sanitation and hygiene (WASH).
The commendation was made on Tuesday by the Chief of WASH, UNICEF Nigeria, Country Office, Mrs Jane Bevan when she led officials of the organization on an advocacy visit to the State Deputy Governor, Senator Baba Tela in his office.
Mrs Jane Bevan said that with the achievements recorded in the implementation of WASH issues, UNICEF will sustain its partnership and support to the state in order to increase coverage of the WASH project.
According to her, all the UNICEF programmes are to assist in ensuring attainment of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) which are key to making Nigeria to become Open Defecation Free and full coverage of water supply by the year 2030.
According to her, “It was a great pleasure to be in Bauchi and we are currently visiting states where UNICEF is implementing its programmes especially on water sanitation and hygiene and we are here to see the progress so far made in Bauchi and to see how we can support further to increase coverage”.
She also said that, “Our discussion with His Excellency, the Bauchi State Deputy Governor is to congratulate the state on the fantastic progress made so far and to reaffirm that UNICEF will continue to partner with the state government.”
The Chief of WASH, UNICEF Nigeria further said that UNICEF has a great history of partnership with the Bauchi state government and she hoped they will continue to work together to achieve more than what was achieved so far.
While responding, the Deputy Governor, Senator Baba Tela appreciated UNICEF and other donor organizations for their interventions in the state, assuring them of the commitment of the state government towards the timely release of counterpart funds.
Baba Tela said that, “We need UNICEF interventions in Bauchi state, UNICEF and other donor organizations have always being there for to us in the provision of funds and technical care on how to implement programmes that in the final analysis will be for the benefit and good of our people especially the younger ones”.
According to him, “So our discussion basically centered on what we have done and what we are going to do particularly on water sanitation and open defecation free and on our part, we will continue to support our MDAs working on the implementation of the project to ensure proper coordination.”
