The Government of Togo recently inaugurated, with the French Development Agency (AFD), several drinking water wells and sanitation facilities for 69 cantons located in the Savannah region. The infrastructures are part of the Project for the Improvement of Health Conditions in Schools and Rural Areas (dubbed Passco in French).
In the Savannah region of northern Togo, a large proportion of the population has just had access to water and sanitation, thanks to the construction of several infrastructures in at least 69 cantons in the region. Damehane Yark, Minister of Security, travelled to Nano for the inauguration of the facilities. He was accompanied by Marc Vizy, the French Ambassador and François Jacquier, Director of the French Development Agency (AFD) for Togo.
The ceremony marked the inauguration of 474 drinking water boreholes that have been built or rehabilitated in several villages. The Togolese State refers to 130 rehabilitated former boreholes (serving, inter alia, 2 care units and 7 schools) and 344 new boreholes built (for 161 schools, 21 care units and 162 rural communities). He says the project has also built 100 latrines for schools. All these achievements are part of the Project for the Improvement of Health Conditions in Schools and Rural Areas (Passco).
AFD’s financing
“These various achievements illustrate the perfect partnership between Togo and France to meet the needs and well-being of rural populations,” Marc Vizy said at the Nano ceremony. AFD subsidised the project (Passco) to the tune of CFAF 4 billion, or 6 million euros.
According to AFD, thanks to these structures, 70,000 people will benefit from improved access to drinking water and sanitation conditions. In schools, hygiene education and good practices will also be strengthened. In addition, the working and reception conditions of people in health centres will now be improved.
Before the 474 boreholes were commissioned, plumbers from the cantons concerned were trained on how to maintain the infrastructure. These water points will therefore be managed in a community way. An interesting project, which the government wants to replicate in other regions of Togo. AFD announced that it was currently discussing with the Ministry of Water, Sanitation and Village Hydraulics, to set up the second phase of the Passco.
Jean Marie Takouleu
