BY JUMAI NWACHUKWU
THE Delta State Government has reaffirmed its commitment to ensuring full inclusion of persons with disabilities in all Water, Sanitation and Hygiene (WASH) programmes across the state.
The Commissioner for Water Resources Development, Dr Isaac Wilkie, made this known during a one-day Step-Down Roundtable Workshop on Disability Inclusion in the WASH Sector held in Asaba. He said the meeting was convened to gather first-hand insights on how to design and implement WASH facilities that are accessible, safe and comfortable for all users.
Dr Wilkie explained that although the ministry continued to build toilets and water schemes across communities, it was vital to consult directly with people living with disabilities to properly understand their needs.
“We may assume we know what to do, but the people concerned have better views on how these things should be done,” he said. “They can guide us on the designs and systems that will make access easier for them.”
He urged participants to engage fully so the government can better serve them, adding that their contributions would shape ongoing and future infrastructure planning. He also presented three wheelchairs to beneficiaries at the event.
Speaking at the event, the Acting Programme Coordinator of the Sustainable Urban, Rural Water Supply, Sanitation and Hygiene Programme (SURWASH), Engr Clement Adiomtre, said the goal was to obtain direct feedback from persons with disabilities on how facilities can be improved. He noted that SURWASH, supported by the World Bank, is now in its third year, having commenced in 2022, with over 91 water and sanitation facilities already constructed or rehabilitated across the state.
According to him, nearly 198,000 residents now have access to safe water and sanitation through the programme. Engr Adiomtre stressed that some existing designs developed at the back end do not fully meet the needs of persons with disabilities, hence the importance of the engagement. “Going into 2026, our goal is simple: we don’t want to leave anyone behind,” he said.
He also urged communities to take ownership of completed facilities and protect them from vandalism so they can serve the public for longer.
Similarly, the Delta State Chairman of the Joint National Association of Persons with Disabilities (JONAPWD) and Special Assistant to the Governor on Disability Matters, Comrade Ernest Igbozo, commended the initiative as a major step toward improved accessibility. He said the programme is currently being implemented in six pilot LGAs: Ughelli North, Bomadi, Okpe, Ukwuani, Ndokwa West, and another participating council.
Comrade Igbozo expressed optimism that the use of universal design standards would ensure full inclusion and applauded the state government for involving persons with disabilities directly in planning and feedback sessions. He added that the initiative aligns with the Renewed Hope Agenda and Governor Sheriff Oborevwori’s MORE Agenda, which prioritise inclusive development.
Comrade Igbozo encouraged persons with disabilities to remain patient, key into government programmes and support efforts to promote an inclusive Delta State.
