By Albert George Sheriff
A recent people’s survey report has shown that top priority issues for citizens in both rural and urban Sierra Leone were water and sanitation.
The study, commissioned by a non-governmental organisation, WASH-Net and the Freetown Urban WASH Consortium of five NGOs (ACF, Concern Worldwide, Goal, Oxfam and Save the Children), also highlights concerns over food, health care, education, housing, roads, electricity, and jobs.
The survey conducted by Dalan Consultancies, canvassed the opinions of 1,500 people across all 14 districts of Sierra Leone.
Its findings show that 79 per cent identified water while 86 per cent of people interviewed identified sanitation as important household needs.
The survey also shows that almost 90 per cent of respondents in rural areas want government and elected officials to ensure there are more latrines and water points. An average of 70 per cent of respondents in urban areas want more latrines and water points from their government, local councils and elected officials. They also want their leaders to improve on other services such as the provision of rubbish bins, collection of rubbish and clearing of drainages.
The report recommends that in rural areas government should provide latrines in health clinics and schools, with separate facilities for male and female and appropriate facilities for the disabled.
Chairman of WASH-Net, Musa Soko, said “political parties and election candidates need to listen to what citizens are telling them”.
He told newsmen during the launch of the report at the Aberdeen facilities of Family Kingdom in Freetown that “Government commitment has been set to spend 1 per cent of Gross Domestic Product on sanitation by 2015”. He urged all political parties to show seriousness in the improvement of access to good quality water and sanitation.
Country director of Save the Children and member of the Freetown WASH Consortium board, Heather Kerr, said the cholera outbreak this year showed that more investment was needed in water and sanitation. “We are looking forward to the Government to prioritize these issues and increase resources for water and sanitation, for the health and well-being of Sierra Leoneans and the prosperity of the country.”
WASH-Net is a local advocacy network of 87 organizations, campaigning for improved access to quality water and sanitation services.
