UN seeks Patience Jonathan's assistance on ways to improve sanitation in Africa

The UN Secretary-General's Advisory Board on Water and Sanitation on Wednesday sought the support of the First lady, Dame Patience Jonathan, on ways to improve sanitation on the continent.

Mr Idrissa Doucoure, CEO of Water and Sanitation for Africa (WSA), a pan African inter-governmental agency, stated this when he led members of the UN advisory board to the Presidential Villa in Abuja.

According to Doucoure, the UN had noted the good works of Mrs Jonathan to better the lives of women and children, in her peace efforts through her NGOs and in her capacity as the President of the African First Ladies Peace Mission.

The WSA's head urged Dame Jonathan and other African First ladies to join in the crusade for clean environments and accessible water on the continent.

”In Africa, 80 per cent of diarrhoea cases are caused by lack of sanitation and access to potable water. You can help us to advance this initiative,” Doucoure said.

He disclosed that the wife of the president of Burkina Faso had accepted to host the coalition of first ladies in Africa on May 9.

Responding, Mrs Jonathan promised to work with the UN and WSA to ensure better environments in the country  and in Africa.

”I believe if our environments are clean, our hearts will be clean and our countries will be developed.

”Diarrhoea is a killer disease so we will work together to make sure our countries are clean and our Africa is clean,” she said.

The WSA complements regional efforts in the provision of water, sanitation and hygiene services on the African continent.

The agency also assists member states in the development and implementation of policies on water and sanitation, and the mobilisation of financial resources to achieve set objectives in the sector.