Preliminary Evaluation of UNICEF’s Assisted Water, Sanitation and Hygiene (WASH) Programme Using Interview Guides and Spot Checks in Ogun State, Nigeria

Abstract

Aim and Place of Work: UNICEFs assisted Water, Sanitation and Hygiene (WASH) programme is one of the intervention strategies to improve access to safe water, sanitation and good hygiene in developing countries. As 2015 MDG goals deadline approaches, assessment of progress and evaluation of these interventions are unknown in most states in Nigeria. Therefore an independent evaluation of UNICEF’s assisted WASH programme was conducted between March and August 2014 in Ogun State, Nigeria, Methodology: Well structured interview guides were used to obtain basic information on history, range of activities, target population and challenges of the WASH intervention from the state implementing agency. Cumulative achievements reports of the agency were also retrieved for data extraction. Spot checks assessments of interventions were made to schools benefitting from WASH programme within the pilot local government area of the state. Conditions and adequacy of WASH interventions were assessed using WHO/UNICEF recommended guidelines. Data obtained were uploaded and analyzed using SPSS 20.0 software for descriptive statistics.  Results and Discussion: Findings showed that no new water source was provided since 2006 through the assisted programme. UNICEF only assisted the state in the rehabilitation of already existing water sources, hence water coverage rate stagnated at 43% since then. The rise in the states sanitation coverage in 2012 from 32% to 36% was due to the additional provision of sanitary resources to schools, markets and health centre’s by UNICEF’s assisted WASH programme. These coverage rates are unsatisfactory and may not meet the universal MDG target goal of 2015. Spot assessments to intervention schools also shows inadequacy, poor coverage and poor condition of WASH facilities. Conclusion: Therefore, scaling up of intervention projects and monitoring of adequacy and conditions of interventions are important, requiring funding and resource allocation.