Niger Delta
UNICEF, Bayelsa Partner On Post-flood Intervention For WASH
The United Nations Children Fund (UNICEF) and the Bayelsa State Government have commenced a partnership intervention programme on water, sanitation and hygiene (WASH) to enable the state cope with the problems relating to clean, quality and hygienic water posed by the floods which destroyed sources of water in impacted areas across the State.
Towards this end, the UNICEF and the state government during the week held a one-day stakeholders engagement meeting for the WASH intervention emergency programme for the seven impacted council areas of the state.
Declaring the programme open, the Bayelsa State Commissioner for Water Resources, Mr Keme Wariebi, commended UNICEF for the partnership.
He noted that though the state government was still working assiduously to achieve the SDGs stipulated guidelines on clean, safe and hygienic water in all parts of the state, the intervention partnership by UNICEF was a welcome development.
He reiterated the commitment of the State Governor, Senator Douye Diri-led prosperity administration in provision and execution of water projects in different parts of the state.
“Though as a state, we’re still grappling with meeting up the SDGs target on clean, safe and hygienic water for all Bayelsans, it’s worthy to note that on 12th September, 2021, following the Governor’s commitment towards the practice and observation of good hygienic conditions by our citizens, he, in company of dignitaries from all walks of life, flagged-off the state’s version of a programme tagged, ‘Clean Bayelsa: Use the Toilet Campaign”, he said.
In an overview of UNICEF’s WASH intervention in emergencies such as floods, outbreak of epidemics and conflicts, a Unicef WASH expert from its Enugu Zonal Office, who represented the Port Harcourt field office, Mr Timi Kiakubu, stated that Unicef focuses on three thematic areas of WASH, which are children, water supply and hygiene.
He reiterated that on the water component of WASH, UNICEF’s intervention programmes ensures that water consumed by people, especially children and women during emergencies, were of expected quantity and quality. They also ensure good and proper drainage system.
On the sanitation component, UNICEF ensures that there is proper excreta disposal, vector control and solid waste management mechanisms, while the hygienic component of WASH has to do with UNICEF’s intervention in the promotion of good and acceptable hygienic standards and related matters.
Speaking further on UNICEF’s scope of WASH intervention, Kiakubu said, “While the purpose of the intervention is aimed at reducing the likelihood of transmission of faecal-oral and vector borne diseases, and environmental health risks by promoting good hygienic practices, providing water and sanitation services and ensuring the optimal use of facilities provided in flood-affected areas of Bayelsa State, the scope of the intervention is to enable 10,000 people have improved access to safe and equitable access to sufficient quantity of water for domestic needs.”
He also said the scope of the WASH intervention programme was again to ensure that 21,000 people have improved access to safe and dignified access to sanitation hygienic services, as well as to enable 42,000 people amongst others, benefit from community tailored gender and age-sensitive hygiene, cholera risk awareness and prevention.
It also include IPC messages providing the people with WASH/hygiene, non-food items to support proper food and personal hygiene practices.
“The UN General Assembly Resolution of July 28th, 2010 gave all humans the right to clean, hygienic water and sanitation. Poor implementation of WASH causes more than half of global diarrhea disease. Inadequate WASH facilities act as barriers to children’s attendance and performance in schools, especially girls.
“Safe WASH in healthcare facilities (HCF) is critical for maternal and newborn health. Women and girls are the most affected by poor WASH generally. It causes them loss of their productive and leisure time, and leads to loss of dignity and threat to sexual assault”, UNICEF said.
The Tide reports that highpoints of the event included goodwill messages and experience sharing by participating MDAs and individuals, including the Bayelsa State Emergency Management Agency (BYSEMA), the Rural Water Supply and Sanitation Authority (RUWASSA), State Universal Basic Education Board (SUBEB), the State’s Primary Healthcare Development Agency, and the National Orientation Agency (NOA), amongst others.
The Rivers State Commissioner for Urban Development and Physical Planning, Rt Hon Evans Bipi, has eulogised Gen Gabriel Asabuja over his recent birthday celebration in Port Harcourt.
Bipi said Asabuja is worth celebrating following his numerous contributions and support to the administration of Governor Siminalayi Fubara.
He described Asabuja as a strong pillar of governance in Rivers State, adding that the Ministry of Urban Development and Physical Planning is happy working with him.
He noted that Asabuja’s position as a team leader of the Ministry’s taskforce has been amazing, saying the Ministry is proud associating with him.
The former lawmaker hinted that since Asabuja assumed office as leader of the taskforce, the Ministry has witnessed tremendous improvement.
Bipi said the Ministry will always stand by him to ensure that the dreams of the Governor Fubara-led government are achieved.
On his part, the celebrant, Gen Gabriel Asabuja expressed gratitude to God and the Commissioner for the honour done him.
Gen Asabuja also commended Governor Fubara for his tremendous and good leadership in the State, saying his group will continue to give the Governor maximum support in order to achieve more for Rivers people.
Gen Asabuja described Rt Hon Evans Bipi as one of the best brains working with the Governor, saying under Bipi, the Ministry of Urban Development and Physical Planning has shown capacity to leverage on the Governor’s mantra of Rivers First.
He said both the personnel of the Ministry, the Directors and adhoc staff are happy with his style of leadership.
The Joint Provincial Council, East of the Niger, Anglican Communion, held its 2025 Annual General Meeting at St. Michael’s Church, Rumuomasi Deanery, Diocese of Evo from Saturday 15th — Sunday 16th February, 2025.
The meeting which had the theme, “Kept By His Mercies”, with text from Lamentations 3:22-23, had the Archbishops, Bishops, their wives, Chancellors, Financial Secretaries and Synod Clerical Secretaries of the 58 Dioceses as delegates.
At the opening ceremony on Saturday, the Dean of the Church of Nigeria (Anglican Communion) and Chairman of the Council, Most Rev Blessing Enyindah, charged delegates to stay focused and committed to the matters for discussion and implement decisions reached for the growth of the Church in the region and the advancement of the business of God’s Kingdom.
Most Rev Enyindah, who is also the Archbishop of the Niger Delta Province and Bishop of the Diocese of Ikwerre, lauded the Diocese of Evo for the giant strides recorded in just 15 years of existence while tasking the leadership not to rest on its oars but to strive further to complete the work of the Kingdom in their hands.
Addressing the council in his welcome address, the Bishop of the Diocese of Evo and host of the Joint Council, The Rt Rev Innocent Ordu, welcomed the delegates, and reminded them that the theme is apt and fit as it reminds the Church of God’s inexplicable and instructible mercy towards mankind, which supersedes His righteous judgements.
Bishop Ordu further lamented the many challenges bedeviling the country, such as skyrocketing cost of living, ravaging sicknesses and ailments, proliferation of harmful drugs, natural disasters, high level corruption in public offices, inept political leadership, amongst others, which he said could not consume mankind because of God’s mercies.
In their separate speeches, delegates saluted the Diocese of Evo for willingly accepting to host the council and the comfort they enjoyed during their stay.
Earlier, the council appointed the Synod’s Clerical Secretary of the Diocese of Evo, Rev (Canon) (Dr) Ebenezer Owhor as the Assistant Secretary of the Joint Council.
Also, before the commencement of plenary, the women of St. Michael’s Church, Rumuomasi Deanery thrilled delegates to good traditional tunes and dance steps while His Royal Highness Eze( Sir) Raymond Chinda led the chiefs and elders of Rumuomasi community in Oropotoma Kingdom, to appreciate the council for choosing the community to host the meeting.
They solicited for prayers of peace, unity and development from the council.
The meeting ended on Sunday evening while the Archbishops and Bishops worshipped in various churches in the Diocese of Evo.