ABUJA – The Programme Manager, Global Environment and Technology Foundation, Mr Kyle Sucher, said the organisation would create a Water Sanitation and Hygiene (WASH) Data Point to harmonise water statistics in Africa.
Sucher, told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Thursday in Abuja that the data point would ensure that water flows at correct volumes where it should help attain the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs).
The programme would be carried out through the organisation’s Replenish Africa Initiative, funded by Coca-Cola in partnership with Global Water Challenge, an NGO.
“WASH Data Point is an initiative to unite all of the different data sets on water around the world.
“What we are trying to do is harmonise things to an extent that you can go to one resource and see the data that is being monitored by different partners.
“And see what is functioning and what’s not, where the gaps are, where coordination could be improved.
“So our programmes range from things such as water and sanitation and hygiene programmes in schools and communities.
He said further that the organisation was working with Women Farmers Advancement Network (WOFAN) in Nigeria to promote sustainable agriculture.
The manager said the project was focusing on women to boost irrigation and best practices for sustainable agriculture.
He added that the organisation is also working on the nexus between water and agriculture and to tackle water shortage, reduce effluent flows and prevent damage of water basins.
On the engagement of youths in the sector, Sucher said the organisation planned to train them in managing water kiosks in different African countries.
“Youth engagement and empowerment is increasingly a key focus for us. There are two ways that we are looking at youth empowerment and engagement.
“Through water, sanitation and hygiene in schools, making sure that at the baseline when children go to school they have the water they need and they have the sanitation facilities they need.
“And they have the training on health and hygiene, hand washing as well as the infrastructure for the hygiene piece.
“ It’s absolutely essential for the development of the child into a fully functional and educated child capable and ready to contribute to the society adult.
“And then aside from that building their capacity to manage water points.
“So many youths have a solid foundation but when they come out the job market isn’t great.’’
