By Onwa Ekor
Cross River government in partnership with Self Help Africa (SHA), under the Water Sanitation and Hygiene (WASH) systems for Health (WS4H) programme, recently launched a series of strategic WASH reform documents aimed at strengthening sustainable and inclusive WASH service delivery across the state.
The documents which include; Basic sanitation access roadmap, WASH finance strategy, WASH strategic plan for Yala local government area and the Open defecation prohibition law, seek to provide a comprehensive framework for improving sanitation governance.
It will also increase financing for the sector, support evidence based planning as well as strengthen implementation at both state and local government levels.
Flagging off the event at the Metropolitan Hotel, Calabar, Cross River governor, Prince Bassey Otu, remarked that “it is not about making laws but implementing them, adding that, government had already fashioned out ways to sensitize the citizenry properly.
Otu represented by the Secretary to the Government of the State (SGS), Prof Anthony Owan Enoh, expressed deep concern on the effects of open defecation in the rural areas, a development he reasoned, has continuously threaten the health of the people.
“To some people it is a matter of culture, to some it is a way of life, but we believe that with education and sensitization we will simply tell them what is bad about that and they might come to learn it gradually,” the governor remarked.
SHA Country Director, Joy Aderele, represented by the Head of Finance and Administration, Elisha Maida, pointed out that the event marks an important milestone in the Cross River journey towards building a stronger, more resilient and accountable WASH sector.
Aderele also affirmed that it demonstrates the state government’s zeal to improving the health, dignity and wellbeing of citizens through sustainable WASH services.
“The development of these strategic WASH documents reflect the power of coordination, partnership and shared ownership in strengthening the WASH sector.
“This collaborative approach not only ensured that the documents respond to the realities and priorities within the state, but also strengthened stakeholders commitment towards sustainable and accountable WASH service delivery,” SHA Country Director said.
Commissioner for Water Resources, Barr. Bassey Mensah, argued that open defecation remains a major public health concern which threatens human dignity, contaminate the environment while contributing to disease outbreaks.
Mensah further sued for behavioural change and a strengthened institution to secure a healthier and more prosperous future for the people.
Earlier, Permanent Secretary of the State Ministry of Water Resources, Dr. Okon Ita, while offering insights on the overview of the launch, disclosed that 41 percent of the people of the state, still practice open defecation, thereby exposing the populace to high level risks and economic loss attributed to preventable healthcare costs, low cost productivity and environmental degredation.
The event featured goodwill messages and presentations from relevant stakeholders, performance by the State cultural troupe as well as drama on the importance of WASH adherence.