An advocacy meeting was held with the Upazila Executive Officer and the Upazila administration in Paikgacha Upazila on various challenges and solutions in the WASH (Water, Sanitation and Hygiene) sector. The meeting was held in the meeting room of the Upazila Public Health Engineer’s Office on Monday morning in collaboration with Helvetas Swiss Intercooperation, Bangladesh and organized by the non-governmental Unnayan Sangstha DORP-the chief guest of the meeting was Upazila Executive Officer Mahera Nazneen. The special guests were Upazila Secondary Education Officer Shahjahan Ali Sheikh, Public Health Deputy Assistant Engineer Prashant Pal.
The meeting was presided over by GMM Azaharul Islam, President of WASH Budget Monitoring Club.
The welcome speech was delivered by DORP’s Upazila Coordinator and Committee Member Secretary Md. Shariful Alam Tuhin.
At the event, members of the WASH Budget Monitoring Club, UP members, journalists and representatives of the Mother Parliament presented various problems and solutions, including canceling the lease of the Khas ponds of Paikgachha at the upazila level and opening them for public water, ensuring appropriate allocation in the WASH and climate budget, installing public toilets in Kathipara market, repairing important roads in the Chinamla area and resolving waterlogging. Chief guest’s speech Upazila Executive Officer Mahera Nazneen said that 10% of the revenue and development fund in the upazila is allocated for the WASH sector, deep tube wells were installed and sanitary napkins were distributed last year, this year measures are being taken to install public toilets at the Khey Ghat and purchase sanitary napkins through vending machines.
He gave instructions to collect information on all the ponds concerned with the aim of opening the Khas ponds for public use.
He confirmed that measures will be taken to resolve waterlogging and repair roads in Chinamla village of Kapilmuni Union.
The meeting expressed its determination to continue the coordinated efforts of the administration, civil society, Budget Monitoring Club, and DROP to develop the WASH sector.