The federal government has unveiled the Water Sanitation and Hygiene Committees (WASHCOMs) report, aiming to guide the implementation of WASH services at the local community level.
During the launch in Abuja, Minister of Water Resources and Sanitation, Prof. Joseph Terlumun Utsev, emphasized the role of WASHCOMs in overseeing service delivery, promoting behavior change, and ensuring the sustainability of WASH facilities.
Utsev highlighted the need for a framework for WASHCOM formation, training, and management to prevent breakdowns and promote sustainability in Nigeria, aligning with SDG targets 6.1 & 6.2.
Key challenges identified in the sector include structural issues at national and sub-national levels, institutional governance models, and functionality of WASH systems.
The 2021 WASHNORM report revealed that while Nigeria has over 2.3 million water points, 38% are non-functional, attributed to factors such as lack of ownership, inadequate technology deployment, and poor maintenance systems.
To address these challenges, WASHCOMs are institutionalized at the community level to enhance community management and accountability.
The launch signifies a milestone in sustaining water supply, sanitation, and hygiene services nationwide, with a focus on expanding access and quality services at the community level across all Local Government Areas.
