As Nigeria joins the commemoration of 2026 World Water Day, WWD, a civil society organisation, Peace Point Development Foundation, PPDF, has urged Akwa Ibom and Cross River governments to come up with sustainable financing models to ensure the implementation of Water, Sanitation and Hygiene, WASH, projects.
This was contained in a statement released by the Coordinator of PPDF, Umo Isua-Ikoh on Sunday to mark the 2026 WWD themed ‘Water and Gender: Where Water Flows, Equality Grows’.
Isua noted that the 2026 theme brings to fore the challenges women and girls in water-scarce communities face, noting that poor access to safe and reliable water continues to undermine their health, dignity, education, and economic opportunities.
He regretted that nearly a year after the approval of sanitation and hygiene facilities in some Akwa Ibom local governments including Obot Akara, Ikono, Esit Eket, and Nsit Ubium, the projects are yet to be commissioned.
“It has been observed that lack of safe and private sanitation facilities especially in the communities has continued to affect our women and girls, especially in schools and public places.
“Also, states should ensure consolidation of environmental health functions for better coordination, mapping and managing waste disposal systems, intensifying grassroots sensitisation on hygiene practices and ODF targets,” he said.
While acknowledging progress by the Akwa Ibom State Government such as the approval of the State WASH Policy, Monitoring and Evaluation Framework, Open Defecation-Free, ODF, Roadmap, and the enactment of the Water Sector Law in 2022, he expressed concern over slow implementation.
Isua-Ikoh urged both governments to mandate functional WASH departments across all local government areas and set up regulatory bodies.
He further urged them to ensure inclusive sanitation infrastructure in schools and public spaces, timely release of funds and efficient waste disposal systems.
Prioritize implementation of WASH projects – PPDF urges Akwa lbom, Cross River govts
