FG seeks partnership with Akwa Ibom on water sanitation, flood mitigation

By Kunle Sanni

The Federal Government has called for stronger collaboration with the Akwa Ibom State Government to improve access to clean and safe water, enhance sanitation services, and mitigate the impact of perennial flooding in the state.

Minister of Water Resources and Sanitation, Engr. Joseph Utsev, made the call on Wednesday when he led the management of the Federal Ministry of Water Resources and Sanitation on a courtesy visit to the Governor of Akwa Ibom State, Pastor Umo Eno, at the Government House in Uyo.

He explained that a robust collaboration would enable the Federal Government to execute more people-oriented projects that would add value to the lives of citizens in the state.

The Minister informed the Governor that his ministry had adopted Nkari Dam as one of the priority projects to be completed under President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s administration.

He noted that the project had been included in this year’s budget and that work on the dam is currently 55% complete.

According to him, the dam, with a storage capacity of 3.5 million cubic metres, will, when completed, boost irrigation farming, water supply, fisheries, and food production.

Professor Utsev also stated that his ministry, in partnership with the Akwa Ibom State Government, was developing the Itu Irrigation Project, which is one of the largest in the South-South region.

The project aims to develop up to 2,000 hectares of land for year-round agriculture and flood control.

The Minister announced that the Federal Government had approved the establishment of six Reference Laboratories across the six geopolitical zones in the country to check waterborne diseases, with Akwa Ibom State among the beneficiaries. He added that work on the project would commence soon.

He further informed the Governor that his ministry was implementing World Bank-assisted programmes in the water and sanitation sector, including:

• Partnership for Expanded Water Supply, Sanitation, and Hygiene (PEWASH)
• Sustainable Urban and Rural Water Supply, Sanitation, and Hygiene Programme (SURWASH)
• Sustainable Power and Irrigation for Nigeria (SPIN)

The Minister emphasized that funds were available for these projects and urged the Governor to show more commitment by meeting the necessary requirements to enable the state to benefit from them.

Professor Utsev, expressing concern over the high rate of open defecation in the state, as highlighted by the UN-WASHCOM report, appealed to the Governor to intensify efforts in sensitizing citizens on its negative effects.

He also called for the construction of more toilet facilities in schools and public places, stating that his ministry was ready to support the state in achieving an open-defecation-free Nigeria by 2030.

The Minister thanked the Governor for the warm reception extended to the delegates at the ongoing 31st Regular Meeting of the National Council on Water Resources and Sanitation in Uyo.

In his response, the Akwa Ibom State Governor, Pastor Umo Eno, expressed appreciation to Professor Utsev for selecting his state as the host for the 31st Regular Meeting of the National Council on Water Resources and Sanitation.

He noted that the meeting would provide an opportunity for the state to learn from critical stakeholders in the water and sanitation sector and improve services accordingly.

Governor Eno stated that his administration had made significant progress in providing safe water to communities that had previously suffered from acute water scarcity.

He assured the Minister that his government had taken note of all the issues raised and would act on them within a month.

Emphasizing his commitment to collaboration, Governor Eno reaffirmed that his administration was ready to work with the Federal Government in areas that would benefit the people of Akwa Ibom State.