Delta State Ministry of Water Resources Development,with the support of the Delta State Sustainable Urban and Rural Water Supply, Sanitation and Hygiene SURWASH, has held a one day stakeholders roundtable meeting and engagement on community ownership and sustainability of water schemes in Asaba.
The meeting brought together key stakeholders including representatives of benefiting communities, water consumer association,WASH COME, and officials of relevant government agencies,to deliberate on ways to promote ownership effective management and long-term sustainability of water facilities across the state.
In his welcome address, The programme Acting coordinator, Delta State SURWASH programme,under the ministry of Water Resources Development, Engr. Clement Adiotomre see emphasized that the success and sustainability of water schemes largely depend on community participation and responsibility in their use, protection and maintenance.
He said the era when government alone shouldered the entire burden of water facility management was over, adding that true sustainability comes when the people who directly benefit from these investments see the facilities as their own.
He outlined the objectives of the roundtable to include sensitizing stakeholders on the importance of ownership, engagement of Community leaders on strategies for facilities maintenance, fostering collaboration among partners and strengthening feedback machànism for monitoring and accountability.
In his remarks, The commissioner for Water Resources Development ,Dr Issac Wilkie, commended the SURWASH programme for initiating the engagement, noting that community user involvement remains central to the success of the State government’s efforts in ensuring sustainable access to clean and safe water .
He called on community leaders and user associations to take proactive roles in maintaining and safeguarding the facilities, stressing that the state government remains committed to providing the necessary policy and technical support to enhance service delivery in the water sector.
Director, planning, research and statistics in Delta state ministry of water Resources development, Mr John Imilar gave a presentation on ownership of water facilities while other matters discussed include operation and maintenance of facilities and strengthening redress mechanism..
The program featured questions and answers session.
