By Ogenyi Ogenyi, Uyo
In an effort to strengthen sanitation systems and protect public health, Akwa Ibom Government has announced plans to roll out the “Keep Akwa Ibom Clean” project—a comprehensive, statewide sanitation campaign targeted at ending open defecation by 2030.
The initiative, revealed ahead of the 2025 World Toilet Day, reaffirmed the state’s commitment to safe sanitation, proper waste management, and building a culture of environmental responsibility.
Commissioner for Water Resources and Sanitation, Mr Ubuo Ubuo, announced this while declaring open a Roundtable themed “Sanitation as Our Collective Responsibility.” organized by the **African Human Development Center (AHDC) in collaboration with the Ibom WASH Media Committee as part of activities marking World Toilet Day 2025 in Uyo yesterday.
Ubuo who described the “Keep Akwa Ibom Clean” project as an essential pillar of the state’s sanitation agenda explained that the initiative is designed to minimize public health risks, safeguard the environment, enhance the cleanliness of communities, and accelerate efforts toward eliminating open defecation across the state.
The commissioner commended the CEO of AHDC, Prof. Gabriel Umoh, for convening the strategic dialogue and praised the Ibom WASH Media Committee for its unwavering advocacy in the water, sanitation, and hygiene (WASH) sector.
He reaffirmed Governor Umo Eno’s unwavering commitment to improved sanitation, citing the governor’s approval for constructing sanitary facilities in four Local Counculs of the state and assured that construction would begin as soon as the architectural designs receive clearance from the Quantity Survey Department in the Office of the Governor.
In his remarks, Managing Director of Ibom Water Company, Engr. Edo Etuk, hailed the initiative as timely and critical to improving public health and underscored the need for cooperation among MDAs, development partners, and local communities to deliver sustainable sanitation solutions.
Etuk reaffirmed the Company’s full commitment to supporting interventions that expand access to clean water and safe sanitation.
General Manager of the Akwa Ibom Rural Water Supply and Sanitation Agency (AK-RUWATSAN), Mr. Saviour Udoh, applauded the state government and AHDC for sustaining momentum in the sanitation sector.
Udoh emphasized that active community involvement is essential in the fight against open defecation and assured that AK-RUWATSAN would intensify grassroots engagement to ensure rural communities adopt safe sanitation practices.
Earlier in a keynote speech, CEO of the African Human Development Center, Prof. Gabriel Umoh, described sanitation as a universal need tied to human dignity and wellbeing. Citing global statistics showing that 3.4 billion people still lack safely managed sanitation, Prof. Umoh called for urgent and sustained action at all levels.
He highlighted AHDC’s significant contributions to the sector, including support for the establishment of the State Water Sector Law, the development of key sanitation frameworks, and the founding of the Ibom WASH Media Committee.
The Roundtable also featured an insightful presentation by a member of IBOM WASH media committee, Ekemini Simon, titled “Delivering Sanitation in Akwa Ibom State in the Era of Dwindling Donor Support,” which underscored the need for innovation, local ownership, and strengthened government leadership.
