JDPC inaugurates project to promote WASH in Plateau

The Justice Development and Peace Commission (JDPC) of the Catholic Diocese of Pankshin in Plateau, has inaugurated a project to promote access to Water, Sanitation and Hygiene (WASH) in the state.

Speaking at the event on Thursday in Pankshin, Rev. Fr. Basil Kasaam, the Coordinator of JDCP in the diocese, said that the project is in collaboration with the Catholic Agency for Overseas Development (CAFOD).

Kassam, who added that the project, funded by the Isle of Man Government (IOM), would enhance access to clean water in underprivileged communities.

He explained that the project would be implemented in Bugha and Pushit communities of Mangu Local Government Area (LGA) of the state.

He explained that the choice of the benefitting communities stemmed out of the recent insecurity that engulfed other parts of Mangu, leading to influx of displaced persons into the communities for refuge.

“Water, sanitation and hygiene is very key to the survival of human beings; as we all know water is essential toward promoting proper hygiene practices.

“With the recent unrest in other parts of Mangu, more people have moved into Bugha and Pushit communities for refuge.

“This has made the essential commodities particularly portable water and latrines in these two communities to be grossly inadequate.

“So, this project will enhance access to safe water, tackling open defecation and promoting personal hygiene,” he said.

Kassam explained that it would drill solar powered boreholes and construct Ventilated Improved Pit (VIP) latrines in the communities as part of the project.

The coordinator also explained that the community members would be adequately trained on promoting personal hygiene, who would equally serve as its WASH ambassadors in the communities.