The United States Agency for International Development (USAID) has teamed up with the government of Imo State, Nigeria, to improve the management and delivery of Water, Sanitation, and Hygiene Services (WASH) in the state.

Development Diaries gathered that a Memorandum of Understanding, which outlines commitments between both parties to jointly develop a professionally managed, commercially oriented and accountable state water, was signed by Governor Hope Uzodinma and USAID Mission Director, Stephen Haykin, in a virtual signing ceremony.

The partnership is expected to be accomplished through improving the water board’s financial viability, strengthening policy, institutional and regulatory frameworks to deliver better WASH services.

During the signing ceremony, Haykin said, ‘USAID, through E-WASH, will help increase access to clean water and reduce waterborne disease in Imo State, feeding into our mutual goal of creating a healthier, more economically robust Nigeria’.

On his part, governor Uzodinma, who acknowledged that up to 85 percent of rural constituents were lacking access to a reliable water source in the state, said he was hopeful that 100,000 residents will be reached within a year after the partnership kicks off.

Uzodinma said, ‘This project is consistent with the goals of my administration to ensure that the welfare of my people is advanced and protected.

‘Therefore, I commit our cooperation to ensure this project is delivered. We are [also] committed to running the Imo water board as a business to ensure its commercial viability’.

USAID is also planning to support five other states in Nigeria to increase access to clean water while reducing disease by strengthening the capabilities of their water boards through the $60.4 million E-WASH activity.

Source: USAID

Photo source: USAID