RTI to partner with USAID on Nigeria water program

Research Triangle Park, NC—The United States Agency for International Development (USAID) is partnering with RTI International to improve urban water service delivery in Nigeria. The Effective Water, Sanitation, and Hygiene Services (E-WASH) program works to ensure sustainable water services through better governance and accountability, as well as policy, institutional, and regulatory reform. The program aims to increase access to basic drinking water supplies for 500,000 households in six states across the country.

“Limited or no access to WASH services adversely affects citizens’ health, their access to educational and economic opportunities, and labor productivity,” said RTI International President and CEO E. Wayne Holden, Ph.D. “RTI is proud to work with USAID and our partners in this consortium to improve access to WASH services and help Nigerians live healthier lives.”

Currently, 71 million Nigerians live without access to improved water, and 130 million do not meet the Millennium Development Goal standards for sanitation.

The E-WASH program aims to improve performance of six State Water Boards (SWBs) by strengthening core financial and operational capabilities to increase services, attract outside investment, and reduce water losses throughout the system. Well-functioning SWBs will result in increased access to sustainable WASH services. Simultaneously, E-WASH’s civil society engagement activities will encourage participation and collaboration with the SWBs, as well as catalyze innovation for better water and sanitation services. Throughout its activities, the E-WASH program will focus on sustainability and equal access for women, the poor and marginalized groups.

RTI’s consortium partners for the program are Plan International, Segura Consulting LLC, and CDM Smith. Together, the team will build on its successful implementation of 145 water sector management and governance-strengthening projects, including more than 50 years of combined experience in Nigeria.

Through programs like E-WASH, RTI helps countries develop multifaceted strategies to protect their natural resources. Click here to learn more about our environment and water resilience work.