Stakeholders Identify with World Toilet Day In Akwa Ibom

….As “Keep Akwa Ibom Clean” Campaign Announced

By Patrick Titus, Uyo

Participants at a one-day roundtable engagement with key stakeholders in water and sanitation sector of Akwa Ibom state have identified active community involvement as essential approach in an effort to achieve open-defecation-free society by 2030.

Available statistics show that Akwa Ibom State with 31 local government areas, only attained 3.2 per cent certification in Open Defecation Free (ODF) policy, making it a far cry from achieving the global deadline of ending open defecation by 2030.

The roundtable engagement held in Uyo, was organized by African Human Development Center (AHDC) in collaboration with the Ibom WASH Media Committee with the theme: “Sanitation as Our Collective Responsibility” being part of activities marking World Toilet Day 2025 in the state.

The event targeted at strengthening sanitation systems and protecting public health in the state, drew participants from community-based organizations, ministries departments and agencies as well as media professionals among others.

The Commissioner for Water Resources and Sanitation in the State, Dr. Ubuo Ubuo, while declaring the event open, announced plans to roll out the “Keep Akwa Ibom Clean” project — a comprehensive, statewide sanitation campaign targeted at ending open defecation by 2030.

The initiative, Dr. Ubuo highlighted, has reaffirmed the Akwa Ibom state government’s commitment to safe sanitation, proper waste Management and building a culture of environmental responsibility.

He described the “Keep Akwa Ibom Clean” project as an essential pillar of the state’s sanitation agenda, adding that the initiative is designed to minimize public health risks, safeguard the environment, enhance the cleanliness of communities and accelerate efforts towards eliminating open defecation across the state.

The Commissioner commended the CEO of AHDC, Prof. Gabriel Umoh, for convening the strategic dialogue and praised the Ibom WASH Media Committee for its unwavering advocacy in the water, sanitation, and hygiene (WASH) sector.

He also reaffirmed Governor Umo Eno’s unwavering commitment to improved sanitation, citing the Governor’s approval for constructing sanitary facilities in Obot Akara, Ikono, Esit Eket, and Nsit Ubium. He assured that construction would begin as soon as the architectural designs receive clearance from the Quantity Survey Department in the Office of the Governor.

In his remarks, the Managing Director of Ibom Water Company, Engr. Edo Etuk, hailed the initiative as timely and critical to improving public health. He underscored the need for cooperation among MDAs, development partners, and local communities to deliver sustainable sanitation solutions.

Engr. Etuk reaffirmed the Company’s full commitment to supporting interventions that expand access to clean water and safe sanitation.

Also delivering goodwill messages, the General Manager of the Akwa Ibom Rural Water Supply and Sanitation Agency (AK-RUWATSAN), Mr. Saviour Udoh, applauded the state government and AHDC for sustaining momentum in the sanitation sector.

He noted that active community involvement remain essential in the fight against open defecation and assured that AK-RUWATSAN would intensify grassroots engagement to ensure rural communities adopt safe sanitation practices.

Earlier, the CEO of the African Human Development Center, Prof. Gabriel Umoh, spoke on the global theme for World Toilet Day 2025 “Sanitation in a Changing World: We Will Always Need a Toilet.”

He described sanitation as a universal need tied to human dignity and wellbeing. Citing global statistics showing that 3.4 billion people still lack safely managed sanitation, Prof. Umoh called for urgent and sustained action at all levels.

He highlighted AHDC’s significant contributions to the sector, including support for the establishment of the State Water Sector Law, the development of key sanitation frameworks, and the founding of the Ibom WASH Media Committee. He described these as critical milestones that have strengthened the institutional foundation for improved sanitation delivery in the state.

The Roundtable also featured an insightful presentation by investigative journalist, Ekemini Simon, titled “Delivering Sanitation in Akwa Ibom State in the Era of Dwindling Donor Support,” which underscored the need for innovation, local ownership, and strengthened government leadership.

World Toilet established since 2001 is celebrated globally on 19th day November every year. The theme of this celebration is “Sanitation in a Changing World: We Will Always Need a Toilet.”