By; PATRICK TITUS, Uyo
Joyous reactions trailed the creation of the Ministry of Water Resources and Sanitation in Akwa Ibom State by Governor Umo Eno, pointing out that the gesture would most appropriately, reposition the state to implement the existing Water Law as well as tackle other water and sanitation related issues.
Governor Eno, in his speech during the inauguration of his State’s Executive Council members on Thursday in Uyo, announced the creation of two new ministries, Water Resources and Sanitation; and Internal Security in the state.
The governor who expressed worries over the exclusion of Akwa Ibom in water related benefits from the central government and donor agencies, said that the creation of a designated Ministry for Water Resources, would fully integrate the state in the United Nations Water, Sanitation and Hygiene, WASH, programme.
“This no doubt, will reposition the state to implement the existing Water Law as well as tackle other water and sanitation related issues most appropriately,” he assured.
Reacting to the development, Prof Gabriel Umoh, Project Director of Ibom WASH Policy Cluster Project, an implementing partner with funding support of USAID, described the vision by Governor Eno to create the Water Resources and Sanitation Ministry as an answer to the long agitation and advocacy for government to create such Ministry.
Prof Umoh, who spoke with New Nigerian in Uyo shortly after he heard the announcement, said that IbomWASH+ has been working with other critical stakeholders to advocate for the establishment of the Ministry.
“IbomWASH+ is extremely excited about the news of the announcement of the creation of a stand-alone Ministry of Water, Sanitation and Hygiene for Akwa Ibom State. This is one of IbomWASH cluster advocacy asks. And, IbomWASH+ has been working assiduously with other stakeholders to advocate for the establishment of Ministry of Water Resources and we are happy that the Governor has hearkened to our call.
“With the new ministry, water resources, sanitation and hygiene issues in the State would receive the attention it deserves. We thank all who worked with IbomWASH cluster towards the realisation of this feat.” Prof Umoh said.
He however expressed optimism that the WASH Policy, WASH Monitoring and Evaluation Framework, and Akwa Ibom State Open Defecation-free Roadmap which were submitted by IbomWASH cluster to Akwa Ibom State Executive Council and was referred for further discussion would be approved.
This according to him, will assist the new Ministry with the right tools to work with. these are ancillary documents to the Water Sector Law of the State, stressing, “It is also our prayer that a strong team be assembled to run the new Ministry for effective service delivery and accelerated development of Akwa Ibom State.”
He pledged that IbomWASH cluster would continue to work with the new Ministry and other stakeholders in the WASH Sector to make sure Akwa Ibom State is top notch on matters relating to WASH.
“A big congratulations to the visionary Governor of Akwa Ibom State, HE Pastor Umo Bassey Eno; Congratulations to Akwa Ibom State. The golden era in the WASH sector is here!” Prof Umoh stated.
