By Frank Ulom
CALABAR (CONVERSEER) – Cross River State Commissioner for Local Government Affairs, Felix Idem, has pledged to support efforts aimed at deepening the Water, Sanitation and Hygiene (WASH) structure in the state.
Idem gave the assurance on Tuesday during a courtesy visit by the State WASH team led by Okon Ita, Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Water Resources and Chairman of the State WASH Committee.
Call for Unified WASH Structure
In his address, Ita appealed to the commissioner to urge the state government and the House of Assembly to amend the existing water law to unify the WASH structure across the state.
He said this would prevent duplication of roles and create WASH departments in every local government area, each with an operational budget.
“The goal is to achieve a holistic Open Defecation Free (ODF) state and promote a healthy, disease-free society because health is wealth,” Ita stated.
Commissioner’s Assurance
Responding, Commissioner Idem commended the WASH team for their commitment and assured that his ministry would collaborate to ensure the strengthening of WASH structures.
He stressed the importance of sanitation and hygiene in improving public health and pledged to engage relevant stakeholders to achieve the outlined goals.
Dignitaries Present
Among those present at the courtesy call were Oko Sunday Ebeku, General Manager, RUWATSSA; Ebit Bassey, Programme Manager, RUWATSSA; Ikwo Eyo, Head of Sanitation and Hygiene, RUWATSSA; and Ebiye Dorgu, State Programme Officer, Self Help Africa (SHA).
Others are James Edu and Ferdinand Anon, both of SHA; Essien Akiba, Director of Administration, Ministry of Local Government Affairs; Ada Fidelis, member STG-WASH; and Archibong Emmanuel of WASH Media Network, Cross River State Chapter.
About Open Defecation Free (ODF) Campaign
The ODF campaign seeks to end the practice of open defecation, which poses serious health risks and contributes to the spread of diseases such as cholera, diarrhoea and typhoid.
Achieving ODF status involves creating accessible toilets, improving sanitation infrastructure, promoting hygiene education, and changing community behaviour to encourage safe sanitation practices.
The Federal Government has set a target for the entire country to be ODF to reduce waterborne diseases and improve quality of life come 2030.
