Forging partnership for sanitation development in Nigeria through National Task Group on Sanitation: paper prepared for the West Africa Regional Sanitation and Hygiene Symposium, 3-5 Nov 2009, Accra, Ghana

The National Task Group on Sanitation (NTGS) inaugurated in 2002 with the main tasks of developing National Water-Sanitation Policy and supporting sanitation development has membership from all relevant Government Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs) as wells as International Development Partners, NGOs and Media. With completion of drafting of the Sanitation policy, the Task group has metamorphosed into a viable platform for planning, monitoring, evaluation, advocacy and resource mobilization for sanitation development in the country. A platform like this has become more imperative considering the duplication of roles among the various MDAs which is one of the major factors contributing to low access to improved sanitation in the country. Just about a third of the population has access to improved sanitation and Nigeria is among the countries not on track towards achieving the MDG sanitation targets. The National Task Group on Sanitation has become a rallying point for networking and experience sharing among sector professionals as well as a forum for capacity development for effective management of sanitation projects. The Task Group is presently facilitating the establishment of similar groups at sub-national levels for a well coordinated and holistic approach to sanitation development in the country. Sustaining the activities of the Task Group and development of a joint plan for sanitation interventions in the country will further enhance achievement of national and international sanitation goals in the country. The NTGS has demonstrated a partnership built on trust and mutual respect among partners for sustainable sanitation development.

(authors abstract)