By Our Reporter
During the 25th Anniversary ceremony of Self Help Africa (SHA), formerly United Purpose, held in Abuja, the Executive Governor of Cross River State, Sen. Prince Bassey Edet Otu, reiterated his administration’s commitment to delivering essential amenities like clean and portable water to rural dwellers in the state.
Represented by the Vice Chairman/CEO of the State Planning Commission, Pastor Dr Bong Duke, Governor Otu expressed the state’s readiness to collaborate with Self Help Africa in ensuring access to clean water for Cross Riverians in rural areas. He commended the organisation for launching the WS4H project and pledged governmental support through counterpart funding and creating a conducive environment for project success.
Dr Bong Duke highlighted that the state, through the Rural Water Supply and Sanitation Agency, will assist Self Help Africa in piloting the project in three Local Government Areas, aiming to enhance professional maintenance of rural water supply systems. He also mentioned that the state’s efforts led to securing a Five Million Euro grant from the Foreign Commonwealth Development Office (FCDO) for the project after submitting a compelling justification document.
The project is anticipated to facilitate accountable and inclusive planning and budgeting processes, unlock financing for Water, Sanitation, and Hygiene (WASH) initiatives, strengthen WASH capacity, and decentralise the clean Nigeria campaign, accelerating progress towards an open defecation-free status.
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The event, graced by the Honorable Minister for State on Water Resources and Sanitation, Dr Chinyere Almona, featured the unveiling of SHA’s 5-year strategic plan for the WS4H project and showcased projects implemented over the past 25 years, with 70% of them executed in Cross River State. Key officials from the state, including the Commissioner for MIDC, the General Manager of RUWATSA, and the Deputy Director/HOD Nutrition from the State Planning Commission, participated in the event alongside representatives from other strategic partners in the WASH sector.
Self Help Africa, an international development organisation headquartered in Dublin, Ireland, with extensive experience in Africa, including over two decades in Nigeria, aims to promote sustainable livelihoods and healthy lives amidst a changing climate. Operating in 17 programme countries, with a focus on sectors like Agriculture, Climate & Environment, Enterprise, Energy, Nutrition, and WASH, the organisation is poised to drive systemic change for improved health outcomes and reduced malnutrition