Bauchi WASH stakeholders propose a tax on companies to fund water and sanitation.

Stakeholders in Bauchi State’s Water, Sanitation and Hygiene (WASH) sector have suggested implementing a “WASH Tax” on companies and related institutions operating within the state to increase funding for water and sanitation services.

This proposal was part of the resolutions adopted at the end of the 2026 State WASH Joint Sector Review (JSR), which took place from 12 to 14 May at Hazibal Suites in Bauchi.

The communiqué issued after the meeting also called for the immediate creation of a WASH Fund Basket and the convening of a donor roundtable to mobilise additional resources for the sector.

Attendees represented government ministries, departments and agencies; local government councils; development partners; civil society organisations; private sector actors; traditional and religious institutions; academic bodies; media organisations; and community groups.

Participants noted that, despite progress in expanding water supply, conducting sanitation campaigns and promoting hygiene, the sector still faces significant challenges, including insufficient financing, weak maintenance practices, poorly functioning facilities, climate‑related threats, and unequal access to services.

They urged the Bauchi State Government to prioritise WASH as a critical public health and development issue through increased funding, stronger policy implementation and sustained political commitment.

Among the resolutions was a request for the government to complete the establishment of the Water Regulatory Commission and the Small Towns Water Agency under the Ministry of Water Resources.

The meeting also demanded the full corporatisation of the Bauchi State Urban Water and Sewerage Corporation to enhance efficiency and productivity in water service delivery.

The communiqué further urged ministries, departments and local government councils to strengthen coordination and accountability in implementing WASH programmes, while calling for greater support for the existing Multi‑sectoral Stakeholders Forum on WASH.

Stakeholders reiterated the need to revive the WASH Media Network to intensify public sensitisation and awareness campaigns on hygiene and sanitation practices.

Traditional and religious leaders were also encouraged to champion sanitation and hygiene promotion at the community level, helping the state achieve Open Defecation Free (ODF) status across all local government areas.

Priority actions agreed for 2026 to 2027 include increasing the budgetary allocation to the WASH sector, rehabilitating non‑functional water schemes, scaling up hygiene behaviour‑change campaigns, and accelerating Community‑Led Total Sanitation programmes.

The stakeholders also resolved to reduce the state’s ODF reversion rate from 15 per cent to five per cent within one year.

Other agreed actions involve strengthening WASH data management systems, mainstreaming climate resilience and disability inclusion into programmes, and promoting WASH interventions in schools and healthcare facilities throughout the state.

The communiqué states that quarterly progress‑review meetings will be held to monitor implementation, and annual sector performance reports will be published to ensure transparency and accountability.

The communiqué was adopted on 14 May 2026 and signed by representatives of key institutions, including the Ministry of Water Resources, State Rural Water Supply and Sanitation Agency, Bauchi State Urban Water and Sewerage Corporation, UNICEF, WaterAid, civil society groups and media representatives.