By Ogenyi Ogenyi, Uyo
Stakeholders have challenged the claims made by Akwa Ibom State Commissioner for Water Resources and Sanitation, Mrs. Eno Mbobo, regarding the approval of the Water, Sanitation, and Hygiene (WASH) Policy, Monitoring and Evaluation (M&E) Framework, and the Open Defecation Free (ODF) Roadmap by the State Executive Council.
According to the stakeholders, contrary to Mrs. Mbobo’s assertion during a media interaction, the documents were not approved under the administration of former Governor Udom Emmanuel, as she suggested.
“The WASH Policy Frameworks were approved, which is why we have the Ministry of Water Resources and Sanitation, because the Water Law was made. We are even reviewing the policies, as they have been running for some time now,” the commissioner said, referencing Governor Umo Eno’s efforts to inaugurate water facilities aimed at achieving Open Defecation Free status across all local government areas.
However, sources close to the Ministry of Water Resources and Sanitation, who have followed the developments in the WASH sector, disputed Mbobo’s claims. Speaking on the condition of anonymity, one of the stakeholders stated that the commissioner has not presented the WASH Policy, M&E Framework, or ODF Roadmap to the current executive council since assuming office.
“The last time the documents were tabled was during Governor Udom Emmanuel’s tenure, but they were not approved due to the absence of the Commissioner for Justice, who needed to review potential conflicts with the Water Law,” the stakeholder explained. “Since she became commissioner, these documents have not been presented to the executive council.”
The stakeholder added that after the initial presentation, the executive council requested a re-presentation for final approval, which is yet to take place.
Another insider confirmed that the ministry is struggling to implement the Water Law due to the non-approval of the WASH Policy and related frameworks.
“The non-approval is seen as the ministry’s biggest roadblock, hindering their ability to meet sanitation targets, including achieving Open Defecation Free status across Akwa Ibom State,” the source said.
“Despite USAID State2State’s advice to the commissioner, she has not acted on it. The governor created the ministry for this purpose, but it seems the commissioner is unclear about her duties,” the stakeholder revealed.
This delay is especially concerning given that USAID State2State has been actively advising the ministry on best practices for WASH and sanitation policies. Stakeholders expressed frustration over Mrs. Mbobo’s inaction, noting that she has been in office for over a year with little visible progress.
With the current administration yet to approve these critical policy frameworks, stakeholders are urging Governor Umo Eno to address the matter and expedite the approval process to advance the WASH agenda. They stress that without approval, the ministry will be unable to effectively address the state’s sanitation challenges.
“We need the governor to take this up. The WASH Policy, M&E Framework, and ODF Roadmap have not been approved. The state’s water and sanitation agenda cannot progress until this is resolved,” a source concluded.
It is worth recalling that the coalition of Civil Society Organizations, under the auspices of IBOMWASH+, had repeatedly called on Governor Eno and the State Executive Council to approve the WASH Framework and ODF Roadmap to protect public health and promote social and economic development.
The coalition argues that open defecation poses significant public health risks, contributing to the spread of diseases and undermining efforts to improve sanitation across the state.
“Approving the policy and roadmap, and implementing them, will help eliminate open defecation, improve access to safe water, and create healthier living conditions, ultimately boosting productivity and quality of life,” the group stated in a release signed by IbomWASH Project Director, Prof. Gabriel Umoh.
