The Akwa Ibom State Commissioner for Water Resources And Sanitation, Mrs. Enobong Mbobo has said that the ministry in collaboration with the State Rural Water Supply and Sanitation will look through ancillary documents to the State Water Sector Law to ensure approval by the state governor, Pastor Umo Eno.
These documents, which were earlier presented to the immediate past State Executive Council for approval but were referred for further discussion, include, WASH Policy, WASH Monitoring & Evaluation (M & E) framework and; Open Defecation-free (ODF) Roadmap.
Mrs. Mbobo, who however gave the assurance, yesterday, when members of IbomWASH+, a cluster of six Civil Society Organisations (CSO) paid an advocacy visit to her in office in Uyo, assured the visiting team (IbomWASH+) assured that the documents would be presented at the November Exco meeting for approval
She said that Governor Umo Eno was passionate about developing the state, stressing that WASH Framework and Policy documents met the vision of government as captured in its ARISE Agenda, the governor’s economic blueprint.
The Commissioner said the creation of the Ministry of Water Resources and Sanitation as a stand alone Ministry from former Ministry of Rural Development and Water Resources spoke volume of the important the present administration has attached to water and sanitation related issues in the state.
“We are lucky that the Governor was a Commissioner in the Ministry of Lands and Water Resources in the last administration, a position that has placed him on good stead on the challenges of water resources and sanitation in the state but because of the enormous responsibilities of that ministry, he couldn’t achieve much. Now coming as the Governor, he already had a team that put things together, so part of what came out was that there should be a separate ministry for water resources and sanitation so he can impact well in the sector.
“This effort by His Excellency, the Governor is a wise decision that shows his passion in developing the water resources and sanitation sector, besides the welfare and wellbeing of the people of the state, so, I commend him for this.” The Commissioner noted.
Mrs. Mbobo appluaded IbomWASH+ for developing the WASH frameworks and policies, pointing out that these documents would greatly assist the Ministry of Water Resources and Sanitation to address the various challenges in the water sector of the state.
She said the Water Resources and Sanitation as a new Ministry welcome advice and inputs from relavant agencies and organized individuals to move the sector forward.
Earlier, the Project Director of IbomWASH+, Prof Gabriel Umoh had told the Commissioner, Mrs Enobong Mbobo that the visit was to intimate her on the activities of the IbomWASH+ in the state and to further collaboration in addressing the enormous challenges facing the sector.
Prof Umoh explained that Akwa Ibom and indeed, Nigeria has only two years left of the deadline for the Country to be open defecation-free in accordance with the Presidential Order 009 which declared that the Country should be open defecation-free by 2025.
He said that for Akwa Ibom to effectively tackle the myriads of problems militating against the WASH sector of the economy, calls for relevant frameworks and policies to be emplaced.
Prof Umoh said WASH Policy, Monitoring & Evaluation (M & E) framework and; Open Defecation-free (ODF) Roadmap were produced by stakeholders in the WASH sector, including agencies of government such as Akwa Ibom Rural Water and Sanitation Agency, Akwa Ibom Water Company Ltd, Ministry of Environment, Akwa Ibom State Environmental Protection and Waste Management Agency, and were duly vetted by the Legal Drafting unit of the Ministry of Justice.
He appealed to the Commissioner to present the documents to the state executive council for approval as the Akwa Ibom cannot afford to miss the 2025 target deadline for open defecation-free State.
The IbomWASH+ Project Director also advocated increase budget allocation to the WASH sector by 5% from current 1.3% of the state annual budget as well as timely release of appropriated fund to WASH related Ministries, Departments and Agencies.
According to Prof Umoh, “Safe water supply and eradication of open defecation in Akwa Ibom State are critical to the health and welfare of our citizens, especially women and children who bear the greatest burden and consequences of poor water supply that may on addition be contaminated by faeces.”
Members of IbomWASH+ in attendance were: Prof. Gabriel Umoh (Team Leader), Edidiong Sambo, Dr. Imoh Ekott, Mr. Stephen Etim, and Ubong Udom
In attendance also were the MD, Akwa Ibom Water Company ltd, Engr. Edo Etuk, GM, Ak-RUWATSAN, Mr. Saviour Udoh, Director, Water Resources in the Ministry of Water Resources and Sanitation, Mrs. Assumpta Udousoro and representative of IbomWASH Media Committee
IbomWASH+ is led by African Human Development Centre (AHDC) as the anchor organisation. Other members include Society for Water and Sanitation in Nigeria (NEWS AN), Rural Development and Education in Nigeria, Gender Advocacy and its supported by United States Agency for International Development (USAID) under the strengthening Civic Advocacy and Local Engagement project implemented nationally by Palladium LLC.
