C'River To End Water/Sanitation Challenges Across the state as Gov. Ayade inaugurates PEWASH

Dr. Inyang Asibong Speaking at PEWASH Inauguration

The Cross River State Governor, Sir Ben Ayade has inaugurated the Partnership for Expanded Water Supply, Sanitation and Hygiene (PEWASH) project to tackle lack of rural water, sanitation and hygiene across the state.

Governor Ayade, represented by the Commissioner for International Development Cooperation, Dr Inyang Asibong, while performing the inauguration ceremony in the Council Headquarters of Obudu Local Government Area, said the project was in line with his administration’s resolve to socket into the Water Sanitation and Hygiene (WASH) Programme as declared by the Federal Government.

Governor Ayade noted that the project of PEWASH was targeted at increasing access to safe drinking water, sanitation and hygiene across rural communities and hinterlands in the state.

“Access to potable, clean and safe drinking water, sanitation and hygiene service is a right of every citizen, hence today’s event is a demonstration of our administration’s commitment to tap into the National Action Plan for Revitalisation of the WASH Programme declared by the President Muhammadu Buhari.

“This administration will not rest on it’s oars to meet global standards as envisioned by item 6 of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). We will continue to tick the right developmental boxes and make informed decisions to improve quality of life across the state,” he said.

The Director-General RUWATSSA, Sir Ita Ikpeme in his remarks, said that Abi, Biase, Obanliku, Obubra, Obudu and Odukpani constitute the six LGAs selected for the Phase 1 of the implementation by the Federal Government and State components, he also noted that the state already paid the N200,000,000 million counterpart fund and signed other technical requirements.

The PEWASH project, which has been designed to run for 15 years and divided into three phases; 2016 – 2018 preparatory phase, 2019 – 2025, expansion phase and 2026 – 2030, consolidation phase, will contribute to the improvement of public health and eradication of poverty in Nigeria through the achievements of SDGs Goal 6 by 2030 especially in rural areas, as contained in the implementation document.