By Azuka Offor
The Anambra State Rural Water Supply and Sanitation Agency (RUWASSA) has renewed its call for the establishment and strengthening of functional Water, Sanitation and Hyggiene Committees (WASHCOMs) tacross rural communities in the state, describing community ownership as a critical factor in ensuring the effective operation, maintenance and long-term sustainability of public water facilities.
The call was made by the RUWASSA Programme Manager, Mr. Tochukwu Nwosu, during a stakeholders’ engagement at Agu-Orji Primary School, Igbariam Farm Settlement, Anambra East Local Government Area, on November 5, 2026.
The meeting was convened to address management challenges and disagreements surrounding an existing community water scheme and to strengthen local structures responsible for its sustainability.
Addressing community leaders and other stakeholders, Nwosu stressed that the provision of water infrastructure alone was not sufficient to guarantee sustainable access to safe water without a functional community-based management structure.
He explained that WASHCOMs provide the platform through which communities take ownership of public water facilities, organise routine operation and maintenance, promote proper usage, prevent vandalism and mobilise residents towards protecting their investments.
He further advised that all rural communities with government or development-partner-supported water schemes should establish functional WASHCOMs, while existing committees should be reviewed and strengthened to ensure proper representation, accountability and clearly defined responsibilities.
He emphasised that community participation must go beyond the initial provision of infrastructure to include continuous maintenance, hygiene promotion and the protection of facilities against deterioration.
The intervention at Igbariam Farm Settlement followed a complaint referred to the State RUWASSA by the Local Government WASH Office concerning disagreements between some members of the original WASHCOM and Mr. Arinze Oraekwu, a community member who had voluntarily taken responsibility for protecting and supporting the management of the water scheme.
Giving a historical account of the facility, Mr. Oraekwu, Secretary of Village 2, disclosed that the water scheme was established in 2009 through the support of the European Union (EU) and the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF). He explained that the solar-powered pumping system became faulty in 2019, but the facility was restored in 2023 following his personal engagement with an individual who facilitated the replacement of the faulty pump.
He noted that although he was not a member of the original WASHCOM, having followed the construction of the scheme from inception to completion, he understood the importance of protecting the facility and voluntarily took up the responsibility of ensuring its continued functionality for the benefit of farmers and other community users.
However, disagreements subsequently developed between him and some members of the original WASHCOM, who questioned his involvement on the grounds that he was not a committee member. The matter was consequently reported to the Local Government WASH Office before being referred to State RUWASSA for intervention.
In his response, the Chairman of Village 2 and Chairman of Chairmen of the three villages that make up the farm settlement, Mr. Ikechukwu Orabuenyi, commended Mr. Oraekwu for his commitment and sustained efforts in protecting the water scheme despite the lapses in the activities of the original WASHCOM. He assured the meeting that Mr. Oraekwu would be included in the reconstituted WASHCOM in recognition of his contributions and demonstrated commitment to the facility.
The Chairman also expressed appreciation to the State Government for its intervention and promised to convene a meeting with the community leadership to facilitate the reconstitution of the WASHCOM.
The State RUWASSA team assured the community that the Local Government WASH Unit and State RUWASSA would provide the necessary guidance and support to ensure the proper constitution and strengthening of the committee.
Beyond the water scheme, the State RUWASSA team also observed that the toilet facility at Agu-Orji Primary School was non-functional due to a minor fault that could be easily addressed by the community without requiring major government intervention.
The Chairman was therefore encouraged to facilitate its prompt repair, emphasising that community ownership also entails taking responsibility for the routine maintenance of public WASH facilities, particularly those serving schools.
Also speaking at the meeting, the Water Supply Officer of RUWASSA, Mr. Emeka Udeze, commended the community for the efforts made towards restoring and maintaining the water scheme. He called for stronger collaboration between the community leadership and relevant stakeholders to address outstanding challenges, particularly the restoration of the reticulated water supply system serving the primary school.
Other participants included the Headmistress of Agu-Orji Primary School, Mrs. Maureen Nnaama; Anambra East Local Government Sanitation Officer, Mrs. Okpala Emelia; RUWASSA Assistant Hygiene Officer, Mrs. Uju Adindu; and Village 2 Youth Chairman, Mr. Ifeanyi Odikpo, alongside other community leaders.
The meeting concluded with a commitment by the community leadership to reconstitute the WASHCOM and formally incorporate Mr. Oraekwu into the new committee, with technical guidance and support from the Local Government WASH Unit and State RUWASSA.
The engagement further reinforced RUWASSA’s position that sustainable rural water supply requires more than infrastructure development; it requires active community institutions, responsible local leadership and a shared commitment to operation, maintenance and protection of public facilities.
RUWASSA therefore calls on community leaders, Local Government authorities and development partners to support the establishment, reactivation and continuous strengthening of WASHCOMs across rural communities in Anambra State as a fundamental strategy for safeguarding water investments, improving sanitation and ensuring that communities derive lasting benefits from government and development-partner interventions.
