Only 77 Per Cent Populace In Akwa Ibom Drink Potable Water  – IbomWASH Director 

0
665

By; PATRICK TITUS, Uyo

Analysis  has revealed that only 77 per cent of the population in Akwa Ibom State have access to clean and potable water,  Project Director of IbomWASH+, Prof. Gabriel Umoh has stated.

Prof Umoh, who stated this in a welcome address to mark this  year’s World Water Day Celebration in Uyo on Wednesday, also disclosed that only nine per cent of urban population in the state have access to safely managed water, thus shooting up the percentage of persons with poor hygiene.

According to Prof Umoh these figures were contained in United Nations International Children Emergency Fund (UNICEF) report released in March this year.

He noted that Akwa Ibom is still behind in WASH sector, thus, an urgent need to accelerate change if the state must attend the mission of United Nation’s Sustainable and Sanitation for All by 2030 as well as achieve the Executive Order 009 targeting  Open defecation-free status by 2025.

These steps, Prof Umoh enumerated, include; “The approval of Akwa Ibom State WASH Policy which has long waited approval by the state government, approving the State WASH Monitoring and Evaluation Framework.

“Approving the State Open Defecation-free Roadmap (the WASH policy, M&E framework and ODF Roadmap), establishing a stand alone Ministry of Water Resources to provide steady attention to water, sanitation and hygiene issues in the state. 

“Increase budgetary allocation to the WASH-related MDAs for WASH activities, ensure timely release of funds appropriated for WASH sector and giving effect to the contents of Akwa Ibom Water Resources Management band Regulations Act without delay,” he outlined. 

The General Manager of Akwa Ibom Water Company Limited (AKWCL), Engr Etido Etuk earlier, lamented that the company is facing myriads of problems that have worked against the smooth water supply in the state.

These according to Engr. Etuk, include, decayed infrastructure, epileptic power supply, cost of power/running of generators, poor funding and commercial viability of AKWCL.  

In a keynote address at the occasion, the State’s Commissioner for Lands and Water Resources, Capt. Iniobong Ekong (rtd), .said government is making efforts to revamp and rehabilitate dilapidated water facilities for adequate provision of potable water for all.

Ekong, who was represented by a Director in the Ministry, Dr Asumpta Udousoro expressed optimism that soon, water would be provided in sufficient quantity and quality, while also adequately managed to reduce incessant drilling of boreholes across the state with its attaining risk on the environment and lives 

He described the theme of this year’s World Water Day Celebration, “Accelerating Change” as apt, since it focuses on solving the water and sanitation crisis globally.

IbomWASH+ is a cluster of six Civil Society Organisations led by African Human Development Centre, implementing WASH Policy Cluster Project in Akwa Ibom. The project is part of a national project-SCALE (Strengthening Civic Engagement and Local Engagement) implemented by LLC International and funded by USAID with the aim to support reforms in drinking water sector of this state among others. 

World Water Day is an annual United Nations observance day that holds on March 22 that highlights the important of fresh water, advocate for the sustainable management of fresh water resources.

LEAVE A REPLY

Please enter your comment!
Please enter your name here