By Saeed Ahmad Bappah, Gombe
The Gombe State Rural Water Supply and Sanitation Agency (RUWASSA) has concluded an extensive statewide advocacy tour covering all 11 local government areas and 13 newly created local council development areas (LCDAs), with a sole determination to eradicate open defecation practices.
The high-stakes campaign featured interactive sessions with local government leadership and traditional rulers, focusing heavily on environmental health risks and disease prevention.
Except for the initial outing to Akko Local Government Area, which was personally led by the agency’s General Manager, Engineer Muhammad Gibirimu Ahmad, the subsequent visits were spearheaded by the Assistant General Manager for Water, Sanitation, and Hygiene (WASH), Yahaya Umaru Shabewa.
The primary objective of the tour was to challenge lagging councils to match the impressive stride of Dukku Local Government, which currently stands as the state’s sole open defecation-free (ODF) LGA.
Alhaji Usaini Abdulkadir, a member of the National Task Group on Sanitation from RUWASSA Abuja who led the visitation team, urged all stakeholders to step up efforts.
“I call on all the 11 LGAs and the 13 LCDAs chairmen to improve on sanitation, being an all-important aspect of life, by coming up with bylaws that can give strong backing to achieve an overall result against open defecation menace across the state,” Abdulkadir stated.
He appreciated the traditional leaders for according the delegation a warm reception by providing a platform to safeguard their communities.
Responding to the call, traditional rulers across the state mobilized their ward, village, and district heads to ensure the message permeates the grassroots, where the practice remains most prevalent.
The traditional leaders pledged unwavering loyalty and support to Governor Muhammadu Inuwa Yahaya for championing the initiative and signing Executive Order 006 to ensure the full implementation of critical state programs.
Expressing strong optimism for the state’s sanitation future, Abdulkadir credited the unwavering commitment of Governor Yahaya and the dedication of the state RUWASSA leadership as driving forces toward achieving a fully open defecation-free Gombe State.
The team ended up at the office of the State Commissioner for Water Resources for final briefing about the whole activities.