The Federal Ministry of Water Resources and Sanitation in collaboration with the World Bank organized a one-day roundtable meeting with relevant stakeholders on the progress of the SURWASH program implementation since its inception, as part of the comprehensive Stakeholder Engagement Plan (SEP) and Mid Term Review (MTR) as enshrined in the Program Operation Manual (POM).
The Imo state team was ably represented by the State Project Coordinator, the MD/CEO ISWSC, General Managers of ISSTOWA and RUWASSA, the Communication Officer of the SPIU, Social/Gender Officer of the SPIU, Communication Officers of the IAs, as well as Social Officers of the IAs. Also in attendance from Imo are HRH Eze George Ekeh the Ishi Ubonmiri of Ishi Ubonmiri, Lolo Uchechi, and Mrs. Iwu Laticia
Program Director, Water Supply and Support Services, Engr. Dr. Nicholas Dumebi Madu while welcoming all participants pointed out that the roundtable would enrich the processes for the implementation of the SURWASH program in the seven participating States of Delta, Ekiti, Gombe, Imo, Kaduna, Katsina and Plateau.
While emphasizing the importance of information dissemination, Dr. Madu stated that activities under the program should be well reported in the public domain to get the buy-in of the people for sustainability.
On his part, the Sector Leader, Sustainable Development Practice Group, World Bank, Vinay Vantukhur tasked all stakeholders at the forum to be innovative towards increased ownership of projects, exchange ideas freely on how to reach to them in the best way possible.
On the strategies to ensure seamless pursuit of SURWASH goals, stakeholders suggested the need to engage Public Private Partnership in building toilets in public places, and partnership with Toilet Business Owners(TBOs) using market based sanitation, inclusiveness of the People Living with Disability, proper engagement of the media, commercialization of defecation, stakeholders consultation, provision of starter packs for communities to sustain water facilities, and educate communities on payment of water tariffs.
Highlight of the event, which was held at the Reiz Continental Hotel, Abuja, were goodwill messages from the Special Adviser to the President on Health, Dr. Salma Anas; National Coordinator, Clean Nigeria: Use the Toilet Campaign, Chizoma Opara; DG, National Center for Women Development, Asabe Bashir; and the First Lady of Katsina State ably represented by the SSA Alhaji Ibrahim.
Other activities which took place at the event includes presentations on “Challenges and Prospects on SURWASH Implementation” by Director Water Quality/Sanitation, SURWASH – Overview and Status of Implementation” presented by the NPC Abdulahi Gwaram and NCO Felicia Ngaji- Nsugbe. There was also a discussion panel on the “SURWASH PROGRAM (2022- 2024) Which Way Forward?” which was moderated by Zara Goni Senior Social Development Specialist – World Bank and Uche Iwuala Social Safeguard Officer of the FPIU in the SURWASH Program.
The program was anchored by Uche Iwuala FPIU Social Safeguard Officer, and Co-anchored by Paschal Opara Communication Officer Imo SPIU.

OPARA PASCHAL
IMO SPIU COMMUNICATION OFFICER