By Emeka Samuel, Uyo
Local Councils in Akwa Ibom have been charged to improve the conditions of Water, Sanitation, and Hygiene (WASH) in local communities towards enhancing environmental protection, improved public health and better living condition for the people.
State Head of Civil Service, Mr Effiong Essien, gave the charge in a keynote address at a two-day WASH Training Workshop organized by the Ministry of Water Resources and Sanitation for the 31 Council Chairmen and LGA WASH Focal Persons in Uyo.
Essien, who spoke on the theme of the workshop: WASH Sector: Strengthening the LGAs Towards Achieving Sustainable Development Goals said the recent financial autonomy granted Local Councils have put them in a good stead to redirect their focus and resources in the provision of WASH services to the people in rural communities.
The HOS stressed the need to strengthening governance structures within Local Councils due to their neatness to the people and because they remained essential for achieving meaningful development outcomes.
He lauded the state government for the ratification of key WASH governance document which include the Akwa Ibom State WASH Policy, the Open Defecation Free (ODF) Roadmap, the WASH Monitoring and Evaluation Framework, and a draft bill on Water Users Association.
“We can improve WASH service delivery and achieve lasting impact in terms of enhanced water and sanitation in the state, by leveraging the provisions of the AKS Water Resources Sector Management and Regulation Law 2022, and implementing the WASH Policy, ODF Roadmap and WASH Monitoring and Evaluation Framework, financial autonomy granted LGAs, capacity building, community engagement and partnership.” He said.
He identified approaches for effective WASH governance in Local Government Areas to include: Demand-driven bottom-up approach, Community-led Total Sanitation (CLTS), Capacity Building, Partnerships and Collaborations, Monitoring and Evaluation, and Inclusive and Equitable Approach.
In his address, State Commissioner of Water Resources, Dr Ubuo Ubuo expressed the commitment of the state government to revitalizing the WASH sector, saying, “this workshop is a significant step towards realizing this goal”
“The ARISE agenda of this government emphasizes the importance of improving access to basic services, including water and sanitation. This workshop is designed to equip our Local Government leaders and stakeholders with the knowledge, skills and tools necessary to strengthen their WASH governance and service delivery, ultimately contributing to the achievement of SDGs, especially SDG 6”, he said
Ubuo said the workshop would develop a draft State Action Plan on the Revitalization of the WASH sector with resolutions that would guide efforts in improving WASH services and governance”
The workshop featured paper presentations on the Sustainable Development Goals by Prof. Thomas Harry; the Definitions and Strategies for Water, Sanitation and Hygiene, by Dr. Ubong Douglas; the WASH Sector Institutional and Regulatory Framework, by Prof. Gabriel Umoh and a case study on Sanitation, Hygiene, and ODF Protocols in Akwa Ibom State, by Mr Saviour Udoh.
