WASH Monitoring Team Assesses ASWA III Project Progress in Lere LGA, Kaduna State

By Bulus Godwin

A high-level Water, Sanitation and Hygiene (WASH) monitoring team has visited Lere Local Government Area (LGA) of Kaduna State to evaluate the implementation of the Accelerating Sanitation and Water for All (ASWA III) project.

The visit, held on June 4, 2025, was led by the Director General of the Kaduna State Rural Water Supply and Sanitation Agency (KADRUWASSA), Engr. Mubarak Shehu Ladan, and the UNICEF National WASH Manager, Ms. Jolly Ann.

KADRUWASSA, the agency responsible for implementing the ASWA III project in Kaduna, is overseeing interventions in two pilot LGAs of Lere and Kagarko under the broader initiative being implemented in both Kaduna and Adamawa states.

In a meeting with local government officials, traditional leaders, and the Lere LGA WASH team, Engr. Ladan described ASWA III as a transformative project aimed at improving water and sanitation access in underserved communities.

He noted that the selection of Lere and Kagarko as pilot LGAs was strategic and assured stakeholders that further expansion would depend on the performance and results from the current phase.

Shehu Aliyu Lere, the LGA WASH Coordinator, reported significant milestones achieved under the project, including the construction and rehabilitation of water facilities, improved sanitation systems, and other development efforts.

He attributed the progress to strong collaboration among non-governmental organizations, the Kaduna State Government, and Lere LGA, while appealing for sustained support to ensure full implementation.

UNICEF’s Ms. Jolly Ann commended the community for their active participation and expressed satisfaction with the pace and quality of work. She reaffirmed UNICEF’s commitment to the project’s success and long-term sustainability.

Speaking on behalf of the Executive Chairman, the Vice Chairman of Lere LGA, Dr. Kallen E. Audu, expressed gratitude for the ASWA III intervention, describing it as a welcome development for the people of Lere.

She pledged the LGA’s continuous support to ensure the project’s objectives are fully realized.

The delegation later toured project sites across the LGA and engaged with community members to gain firsthand insight into the impact of the interventions.

The ASWA III project aligns with the sustainability goals of Governor Uba Sani’s administration, which prioritizes improved WASH services as part of broader efforts to enhance public health and community development in Kaduna State.

Bulus Godwin is the Public Affairs Officer of KADRUWASSA