In what appeared to be over six months campaign initiative, YouthWASH Initiative Africa, the lead campaigner for VOTE4WASH, has finally met with the major political parties in Nigeria such as APC, PDP, UDP and KOWA on their manifestos and platforms on eradicating water and sanitation poverty, as it is expected to be in tandem with United Nations Goals.
The interactive forum which was in collaboration with International Republican Institute (IRI), WaterAid Nigeria and Connected Development (CODE) took place at Barcelona Hotel, Abuja yesterday 4 Feburary 2015 had CSOs, Media, Youth Groups as well as other major stakeholders in attendance.
According to WaterAid representative Saheed, said over 100billion people in the world are without adequate sanitation, in Nigeria, Only 28% of the population has access to basic sanitation (Over 100 million people have no access to improved sanitation). Nigeria is one of a handful of countries around the world where access to basic sanitation is actually falling rather than rising; down from 37% in 1990 to 32% in 2000 and just 28% in 2012, 23% practice open defecation (nearly 40 million people) While 36% lack access to improved waterd sources (over 60 million)
As still Sub-Saharan Africa ranks lowest in the world for access to improved drinking water and sanitation. This is linked to the region’s under-five mortality rate which is one of the highest in the world.
Nature, YouthWASH Coordinator, said around 68,000 children under the age of five in Nigeria die from diseases caused by the nation’s poor levels of access to water, sanitation and hygiene.
APC Representatives, in their remarks said they have included WASH as one top priority in their manifesto for 2015 General Election. We promise to ensure improved standard and better access to water, sanitation and hygiene acrosss the country, He affirmed.
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