Cross River State Government Scales Up Improvement In Water Supply And Sanitation In Rural Communities

In it’s effort to provide quality water supply and sanitation to the residents of rural communities in Cross River State, the State Government has stepped up it’s quality assurance appraisal, distribution and construction of water and sanitation facilities.

The effort is to enhance the utilisation of quality water and promote hygiene , especially as the Coronavirus Pandemic continues to spread and take its toll on Global Health, Economy and it’s functionality.

In carrying out the directive of Governor Ben Ayade to achieve the set goals on improved rural water supply, the Ministry of International Development Cooperation (MIDC) and that of Water Resources went on a joint inspection and facility tours on Water Supply and Sanitation Sector Reform Program (WSSSRP) project Funded by the State Government with Support from the European Union (EU).

The team visited the ongoing 24 Water and Sanitations micro projects in Katchuan, Orimekpang, Wula, Kakwagom, Bashua, Abo Ogbagante, Okundi, Boki East and West in Boki Local Government Area; And Agoi Ibami, Asiga, Ekom Agoi, Ekpeti, Agoi Ekpo, Afrekpe Ekori and Inyima in Yakurr Local Government Area, amongst others.

Speaking with Journalists during the visit, Commissioner for International Development Cooperation, Dr Inyang Asibong said the projects are to provide quality water, sanitation and hygiene services to rural communities across the State, in line with Professor Ben Ayade’s vision to achieve Sustainable Development Goal 6 which is about ensuring clean water and sanitation for all. Also in a bid to declare CRS Open Defeacation Free, especially as CRS has the highest no. of Open Defeacation free LGAs in the country including Yakurr and Boki.

In his remarks, the Commissioner for Water Resources, Obol Godwin Ettah opined that the projects were initiated to ensure optimal access to rural water supply and that the level of work done based on the team’s assessment showed that within the next two months all the ongoing projects should be ready for commissioning.

The Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Water Resources, Dr. Joseph Bassey, commended the various communities for taking the initiative to setup management committees, ensuring full participation of the communities in the development of the project before taking full ownership after commissioning.

Some of the micro- projects include the provision of state-of-the-art water dispensing facilities, well ventilated lavatories equipped with cleaning agents and utensils, and sanitation facilities, all within the 20 communities visited.