By; PATRICK TITUS, Uyo
Cluster of six Civil Society Organisations (CSOs) under the auspices of IbomWASH+ have rekindled calls to Akwa Ibom Government to approve its Water, Sanitation and Hygiene (WASH) policies and M&E Frameworks inorder to improve access to water and basic hygiene in the state.
This became necessary as the state government has expressed disappointment over the 17% access by Nigerians to basic hygiene and hand washing facilities. According to WASH National Outcome Routine Mapping (WASHNORM, 2021) Report.
Project Director of Ibom WASH+, Prof Gabriel Umoh who made the call during the celebration of this year’s Global HandWashing Day in Uyo, however, said the goal required strong leadership as well as well coordinated effort, based on well articulated policies and frameworks.
Umoh said that the overall goal of IbomWASH+ remained to improve the performance of the state’s WASH sector hinted that the cluster has continued to engage relevant stakeholders to formulate and pass gender-sensitive and inclusive WASH Policy for the state, develope Open Defecation-free Roadmap for the state; formulate WASH Monitoring and Evaluation framework, push for increase in budgetary allocation and ensure timely release of same to WASH sector.
“These facts informed all the efforts we have made for the past 2 years and counting, to work with other stakeholders to put together important WASH policy and frameworks for Akwa Ibom State.
“These policies and frameworks are: Akwa Ibom State WASH Policy; Akwa Ibom State WASH Monitoring and Evaluation Framework and; Akwa Ibom State Open Defecation-Free Roadmap.These are necessary supporting documents to give effect to the Akwa Ibom Water Sector Law.
“The approval of these important documents is of crucial importance and, we want to use this opportunity to call on the Akwa Ibom State Executive Council, to give approval to these documents without further delay. And we hope that the State Ministry of Water Resources and Sanitation will give sufficient push to get the State Exco to approve the documents.” The Project Director explained.
State commissioner for Water Resources and Sanitation Mrs Enobong Mbobo in a keynote address expressed disappointment with the 17% access to basic hygiene and hand washing facilities in Nigeria.
“From available statistics, access to basic hygiene services (handwashing facilities on premises with soap and water) in Nigeria is very low. According to WASH National Outcome Routine Mapping (WASHNORM, 2021) Report, the national average in Nigeria is barely 17%.
“The report also indicates that about 69% of households do not have handwashing facilities available on premises, 8% of households have handwashing stations within households, while only about 4% of the population are likely to practice proper handwashing with water and soap at critical times.” Mbobo said.
The commissioner maintained that poor hand hygiene practices have played a significant negative role in heath, livelihood, and sustainability for the lives of millions, especially children and vulnerable groups with limited access to WASH facilities.
“Children are kept out of schools, preventable deaths in medical centers occur and millions of girls and women suffer in shame as a result of not being able to manage their menstrual hygiene needs.” She said.
Mbobo explained that handwashing with soap remained an important habit to advocate for as it is linked to about 48% reduction in the risk of endemic diarrhea: 16-21% reduction in risk of acute respiratory infection, 50% reduction of pneumonia, and substantial reduction in neonatal infections.
She expressed optimism that with strong political leadership demonstrated through improved budget and visibility; strong enabling environment resulting in strengthened systems as well as increased supply and demand through public awareness and behaviour change, the gaps in access and practice to achieve hand hygiene for all could be closed soon.
“Everyone needs to be reminded that clean hands are within reach. That is, it is available and affordable. The burden of poor hygiene practice is for everyone as when women and children take ill, men bear the burden.
“To achieve hand hygiene for all in line with SDG 6, our health, education, correctional, entertainment facilities as well as households and other public places should be equipped with basic hygiene facilities and put to use.
“The Ministry of Water Resources and Sanitation under my watch is ready and available to work with CSOs, NGOs, Development partners and all other critical stakeholders to upscale hand hygiene and other WASH services in order to achieve our desired SDG 6.” The commissioner concluded.
IbomWASH+ is a cluster of 6 civil society organizations led by African Human Development Centre (AHDC). Other members include Akwamfon Sustainable Community Association (ASCA), Community Partners for Development (CPD), Society for Water and Sanitation in Nigeria (NEWSAN), Akwa Ibom Chapter, Better Future Initiative (BFI) and Gender Advocacy and Rural Development Education in Nigeria (GARDEN) Initiative.
