By Ogenyi Ogenyi,Uyo
Akwa Ibom government has concluded arrangements to construct solar powered water project in the 369 wards across the state in a landmark effort to ensure equitable access to potable water.
This is even as the Director of the African Human Development Centre (AHDC), Prof Gabriel Umoh, has raised alarm over persistent inequalities in access to clean water, particularly in Akwa Ibom State and across Nigeria.
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Commissioner for Water Resources and Sanitation, Dr Ubuo Ubuo whgo made this known in a radio programme in Uyo yesterday emphasized that the initiative is aimed at improving public health, sanitation, and overall quality of life for residents.
Ubou revealed that a technical committee comprising inter-ministerial and direct labour teams, GIFA, AK-RUWATSAN, and the Ministry of Water Resources and Sanitation has been constituted to drive the process.
According to him, the committee has been tasked with identifying areas in dire need of potable water within their respective wards, as well as ensuring a smooth takeoff and successful completion of the projects and is designed to guarantee sustainability, efficiency, and long-term service delivery, particularly in rural and underserved communities.
The Commissioner further stated that upon completion of the projects, benefiting communities 5will be required to establish Water, Sanitation and Hygiene Committees (WASHCOMs) to serve as watchdogs for the proper maintenance and protection of the facilities within their domains.
On sanitation Ubou said that the State Executive Council has approved the construction of pilot sanitation projects in Obot Akara, Ikono, Esit Eket and Nsit Ubium Local Government Areas as part of efforts to accelerate the declaration of Open Defecation Free (ODF) status across the state. He noted that currently, only Nsit Atai Local Government Area has been declared ODF.
He further revealed that the Water Law passed in 2022 is set to be fully operationalized, providing a stronger legal framework to regulate and sustain water and sanitation services in the state and reaffirmed the Ministry’s commitment to delivering people-oriented projects that align with the ARISE Agenda of the state government.
Meanwhile, AHDC in a statement in Uyo said the situation in Akwa Ibom remained deeply troubling, with over 90% of the population lacking access to public water services and noted that despite nearly four decades since the state’s creation, it has continued to lag behind in providing potable water to its residents.
Umoh described the situation as “worrisome,” especially given the existence of a fully established Ministry of Water Resources and Sanitation, alongside several policy frameworks designed to ensure efficient water service delivery including the Water Resources Regulation and Management Law, the Water, Sanitation and Hygiene (WASH) Policy, and the Monitoring and Evaluation Framework.
However, he observed that more than three years after their approval, these critical instruments have yet to be implemented stressing that essential institutional structures—such as the State Water Council, WASH departments in local government councils, and community-based WASH Committees (WASHCOMs), remain largely absent.
“The reasons behind the non-implementation of these policies are difficult to understand,” Umoh stated, adding that the delay continues to undermine efforts to improve water access and sanitation across the state.
In a bold recommendation, Umoh urged the government to dissolve the Akwa Ibom Water Company Limited and replace it with the Akwa Ibom Water Corporation, as stipulated in the state’s Water Law, to enhance efficiency and accountability.
Umoh concluded by urging government and relevant agencies to act swiftly in transforming the water landscape in Akwa Ibom, ensuring that access to clean and safe water would become a basic reality rather than a daily struggle for its people.
