Despite investments in water supply infrastructure, functionality remains low owing to a variety of
factors including poor Operation & Maintenance regime and low community ownership. To overcome
these challenges, a robust Village Level Operation and Maintenance (VLOM) approach was piloted. The
approach is institutionalized within the State Rural Water Supply and Sanitation Agencies (RUWASSAs)
by shifting agencies’ focus from mere asset creation towards sustained service delivery. The VLOM units
established in the twelve RUWASSAs work with trained local area mechanics (LAMs), parts dealers and
community caretakers towards ensuring 100% functionality of schemes. The LAMs charge communities
for their services against agreed rates. This is linked to the Facility Tracking System resulting in 11%
increase in functionality since inception of the pilot project. Once scaled up and sustained, this approach
will optimize investments needed to achieve WASH SDG-6.1 target in Nigeria
