WaterAid, an international organization, says the activities in 2018 toward achieving the Sustainable Development Goals, SDGs, especially goal six – Water, Sanitation and Hygiene, WASH – have been relatively too slow.
Chichi Aniagolu-Okoye, WaterAid Country Director, made the observation on Wednesday in Abuja, in an interview with newsmen.
“All stakeholders must realise that progress towards the sustainable development goals in 2018 isn’t fast enough.
“About 60,000 children under five in Nigeria still die each year because of diarrhea linked to dirty water, poor toilets and poor hygiene,” she said.
Aniagolu-Okoye urged all stakeholders to synergise with the government to achieve the goals.
“Everyone has a right to water, sanitation and hygiene and our leaders must act to leave no one behind.
“Everyone has a role to play in achieving healthier communities and a healthier Nigeria,“ she said.
NAN recalls that 17 SDGs were adopted by the UN General Assembly on Sept. 25, 2015, to replace the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) which started in 2000.
Goal six in particular was targeted at achieving universal and equitable access to safe and affordable water, sanitation and hygiene for all by 2030.
Recently, leaders across the world gathered in New York at the UN High Level Political Forum (HLPF) for the review of the 17 targets of SDGs.
The new agenda calls on countries to begin efforts to achieve 17 SDGs, including availability of WASH facilities to ensure the 2030 target of the goal is met.
This, the organisation country director said, could only be possible with adequate WASH facilities across the country.
Following the review and the recent global hand-washing day celebration, WaterAid urged governments at all levels and stakeholders in the sector to step up efforts towards WASH activities in Nigeria.
Aniagolu-Okoye, said the organization would utlise the 2019 elections to advocate the need for political actors to prioritise the provision of clean water, decent toilets and good hygiene.
She said WaterAid would work with citizens and communities to improve their hygiene behaviour by sensitising them on the importance of regular hand-washing at critical times to prevent the spread of diseases.
NAN
