By Najeeb Sani 

The Society for Water and Sanitation, (NEWSAN) Gombe State Chapter, has called for deeper collaboration with the Sustainable Urban and Rural Water Sanitation and Hygiene, SURWASH, to expand access to safe water, sanitation and hygiene services across the state.

The call was made on Tuesday during an advocacy visit to the SURWASH office in Gombe by members of NEWSAN led by Idris Maigari Lawanti, who spoke on behalf of the group.

He said Gombe State can become a model for effective, inclusive and sustainable WASH service delivery through strong government-civil society collaboration.

Lawanti told the Project Coordinator and management of SURWASH that with this partnership, they could improve access to safe water, sanitation and hygiene services for all residents of Gombe State.

According to him, the visit was aimed at strengthening collaboration between NEWSAN Gombe and SURWASH to improve sustainable water supply, protect WASH infrastructure, and promote inclusive, community-driven interventions. 

He added that the chapter aligns with state policies and projects designed to improve sanitation, hygiene and environmental sustainability.

Lawanti highlighted some WASH milestones in Gombe State that NEWSAN participated in, including: creation of STOWASSA to serve small towns, attainment of Open Defecation Free status in Dukku LGA, establishment of WASH departments in all 11 LGAs, construction of toilets in markets and schools and building of refuse dumping sites in strategic areas.

He also listed NEWSAN’s direct activities: sensitization of students at GDSS Wurobiriji in Akko LGA on the use of “Tippy Tap” handwashing in 2023, a one-day environmental sanitation exercise in Tashan Tippa with Kishimi Shelter and Care Initiative, and participation in tree planting and monitoring at Dankombo Mega Park with ACRESAL and 3Gs from 2024 to date.

Responding, SURWASH project coordinator, Usman Aliyu thanked the group for its partnership and pledged that SURWASH would strengthen and sustain WASH infrastructure, especially in rural and underserved communities. 

He also promised gender-responsive and equity-focused planning in their intervention.