By Zainab Altine Yusuf
Kaduna State Governor, Senator Uba Sani, has urged people in the state to strive to manage water and food in their homes for sustainable livelihood. “Adopt water-conscious practices, choose local and fresh foods, reduce food and water wastage, and find safe ways to reuse water while preventing pollution,” the governor enjoined the people on the occasion of 2023 World Food Day in the state.
“On World Food Day 2023, we recognize the critical role that water plays in ensuring food security in Kaduna state and across the world,” he said, adding, “This year’s theme, ‘Water is Life, Water is Food. Leave No One Behind,’ conveys a potent and succinct message. It underscores that water is the essence of life itself. Without access to clean and safe water, human survival is at risk. Water isn’t just a resource; it’s fundamental for our existence.”
Governor Uba Sani said the state government was committed to providing communities, especially those in rural areas, with access to clean water and food. He said government had adopted a proactive approach to achieving this objective: The Kaduna State Rural Water Supply and Sanitation Agency (KADRUWASSA), for instance, was implementing programmes such as the Partnership for Expanded Water Supply, Sanitation and Hygiene (PEWASH) and Sustainable Urban and Rural Water Supply, Sanitation and Hygiene (SURWASH) to provide Water, Sanitation and Health (WASH) services.
The Governor also said that the government was committed to attaining Open Defecation Free (ODF) status by 2024, one year before the national deadline. This is evident in the assessment by UNICEF’s Chief of Water, Sanitation and Hygiene during a visit to Kaduna State, who lauded the proactiveness as 7 LGAs had already been declared ODF free.
“Water pollution has far-reaching impacts on our foods, environment, the economy, and health. This is why, in partnership with UNICEF, we recently constructed ventilated improved pit (VIP) latrines and hand wash stations across the state. We have also undertaken borehole construction and rehabilitation projects”, governor Sani further stated.
The Governor said that to ensure the sustainability of WASH facilities, continuous training and retraining programmes for local area mechanics had equipped them with the skills to repair broken down boreholes in communities. “This has resulted in the rehabilitation of numerous boreholes, benefitting thousands in our rural communities,” he added.
Senator Uba Sani seized the opportunity of the occasion to pay tribute to farmers in the state who he described as “food heroes” despite numerous challenges. “They are the backbone of our food security, providing sustenance and supporting our local and national economies,” he added. He said that in line with the administration’s SUSTAIN manifesto there were plans for massive agricultural improvement, innovation, and sustainability while improving market access. “We are dedicated to addressing the challenge of producing more with less water, ensuring equitable water distribution, preserving aquatic food systems, and leaving no one behind.”
