Bukola Afeni
Editor
The General Manager of Benue Rural Water Supply and Sanitation Agency, (BERWASSA), Mrs Torkwase Ikyaator, is calling on residents of Agatu Local Government Area of Benue state to sustain efforts to maintain its Open Defecation Free ODF Status. She advised the residents to ensure that public facilities have improved toilet facilities. The General Manager gave the indication as Agatu Local Government Area was certified Open Defecation Free.
She indicated that Agatu local government becomes the 4th out of 23 LGAs in the state, and 11th out of 774 LGAs across the nation to attain the ODF status.
“An ODF certificate was presented to Agatu LG on Tuesday in Makurdi the state capital, during the end of programme review and close out meeting of Rural Sanitation and Hygiene Promotion In Nigeria, (RUSHPIN) in Benue state.
The meeting which was the last of RUSHPIN programme in the state was supported by the Water Supply and Sanitation Collaborative Council, (WSSCC) which will be transiting to Sanitation and Hygiene Fund, (SHF) to take off in 2021.”
The Programme Manager United Purpose, Mr Nanpet Chuktu, charged the resident of the Local Government to adhere to the new implementation of the Community Led Total Sanitation.
“Am commending the authorities in the state for their proactive news and suport to the Rural Sanitation and Hygiene Promotion in Nigeria (RUSHPIN) programme in Benue State. With what am seeing on ground, am persuaded there will be a great change in the state.”
Other highlight of the event include the presentation of certificates of commitment, and meritorious service by United Purpose (UP) to the six ODF local government areas, and the three scale-up LGAs in the area of Water Sanitation and Hygiene (WASH) in Benue State.
Agatu Local Government Area of Benue State was validated ODF in January 2020 by the National Task Group on Sanitation, (NTGS). The formal celebration is now done in November.
