IN a bid to enhance water, sanitation, and hygiene (WASH) service delivery in public schools across small towns in Delta State, the General Manager of the Small Towns Water Supply and Sanitation Agency (STOWASSA), Engr. Unuafe Anthony has commenced the inspection of WASH facilities in schools.
During a recent inspection visit to the Institute of Continuous Education (ICE) in Oleh, Isoko South Local Government Area, Unuafe assessed the condition of the school’s WASH facilities. Expressing concern over the dilapidated toilet structures, poor sanitation conditions, and the abandoned solar-powered borehole, he lamented the dire state of hygiene in public schools.
“There is a shortage of toilet facilities in public schools, and where available, they are either insufficient or in deplorable condition,” he stated.
In addition to the school inspection, Unuafe visited Ibrede Town in Ndokwa West Local Government Area for a brief site handover ceremony to commence the rehabilitation of the Ibrede Water Supply Scheme.
Reaffirming the state government’s commitment to restoring water and sanitation facilities in small towns, communities, schools, and markets, Unuafe emphasized the administration’s resolve to eradicate open defecation across Delta State. He noted that access to safe potable water and functional WASH facilities is essential to achieving the objectives of the MORE Agenda.
He also encouraged students to establish a WASH club to support the implementation of safe school initiatives. Furthermore, he urged the school management to prioritize sanitation and hygiene, stressing that the health and well-being of students remain a top priority for the government.
Earlier, the Zonal Coordinator of the Institute of Continuous Education, Oleh, Anote Goru, commended the state government for its initiative to improve toilet and water facilities in schools. She highlighted that the school’s toilet facilities had deteriorated and were abandoned, leading to open defecation among students and creating an unhygienic learning environment.
“It is disheartening that a school with over 2,000 students has no functional toilet facilities,” she stated, emphasizing the urgent need for intervention.
