Garun Malam Local Government Area has been identified as one of the key locations targeted by the WASH (Water, Sanitation, and Hygiene) program in Kano State, with the aim of making it one of the cleanest and most enlightened areas in terms of hygiene. This initiative is in line with the state government’s commitment to promoting public health and sanitation, similar to the ongoing efforts in Makoda Local Government Area, supported by Self Help Africa.
According to Mustapha Hassan, Desk Officer of WASH, the visit to Garun Malam was intended to strengthen collaboration and officially introduce the program to the community under the supervision of the Kano State Ministry of Water Resources and the Rural Water Supply and Sanitation Agency (RUWASA).
In his remarks, the Director Planning from RUWASA Muhmmad Yau, the State explained that the program covers selected locations across the globe where interventions in water sanitation and environmental cleanliness are being implemented. He noted that both Makoda and Garun Malam LGAs are among the areas chosen in Kano State. He described this as a golden opportunity for Garun Malam to embrace the program wholeheartedly.
Nazir Nasir a dupty director from the Ministry of Water Resources, the Local Government WASH Coordinator, stressed that proper sanitation can protect up to 90% of the population especially children and pregnant women from preventable diseases that often result in fatalities. He emphasized the need to reduce such health risks and create a healthier living environment.
Also speaking, Aminu DZ highlighted that the WASH initiative is not limited to Kano State but is a global program. He pointed out that Nigeria remains one of the countries still lagging behind in full implementation, but for Kano State Makoda and Garun Malam where luckily selected areas for focused interventions.
In a related development, Umar Sa’adu Hakimin Guragu, representing people with special needs, expressed deep appreciation for the program’s gender and social inclusion efforts. He noted that persons with disabilities have a vital role to play in ensuring the success of the Wash System for Health Program and commended the organizers for recognizing their importance in community development.
On his part, the Chairman of Garun Malam Local Government, Honourable Aminu Salisu, expressed concern over the community’s long-standing challenge of accessing clean drinking water. He revealed that repeated appeals had been made to the state’s Ministry of Water Resources to address the issue but to no avail. He used the opportunity to once again call for urgent action to provide the people with potable water.
The chairman assured that his administration will give the WASH program the utmost importance it deserves and will take every necessary step to ensure sanitation and hygiene receive maximum priority across Garun Malam Local Government.
