In a renewed push to improve public health outcomes and ensure sustainable access to safe water and sanitation, the Cross River State Government has inaugurated the Obubra Local Government Area Task Group on Water, Sanitation and Hygiene (LTG-WASH).
The inauguration, held during a three-day programme at the Obubra Local Government Council Secretariat, brought together government officials, development partners and community actors committed to addressing persistent water, sanitation and hygiene challenges at the grassroots.
Organised by the State Ministry of Water Resources in collaboration with the Rural Water Supply and Sanitation Agency (RUWATSSA), Self Help Africa (SHA) and the Society for Water and Sanitation (NEWSAN), the initiative is aimed at strengthening local systems and placing communities at the centre of WASH governance.
Declaring the programme open, Chairman of the State Task Group on Water, Sanitation and Hygiene (STG-WASH), Dr Okon Ita, described the inauguration as a critical step towards system strengthening in response to Obubra’s WASH realities.
He noted that sustainable development at the local government level depends largely on functional and committed WASH structures.
Dr Ita called on members of the newly inaugurated task group to approach their assignment with dedication, assuring them of continuous support from the state government. He was represented at the event by Eni Nkanu, a director in the Ministry of Water Resources.
For residents of Obubra, the initiative signals renewed hope for improved access to safe water, better sanitation facilities and healthier living conditions. Chairman of Obubra Local Government Area, Kingsley Arikpo, while welcoming participants, expressed gratitude to the state government and its partners for prioritising the welfare of the people. Represented by James Ekoh, he described the LTG-WASH inauguration as a bold intervention capable of driving lasting change in the communities.
A major highlight of the programme was an overview of the WASH Systems for Health (WS4H) initiative, under which Self Help Africa is supporting WASH interventions in the state.
Speaking during the session, SHA State Coordinator, Mr. Ferdinand Anok, explained that the programme adopts a system-focused approach aimed at ensuring sustainable, reliable, resilient and inclusive WASH service delivery.
He noted that the WS4H programme is being implemented in Cross River and Kano states in Nigeria, as well as in Sierra Leone.
According to Anok, focusing on systems rather than isolated infrastructure projects is deliberate, as it enhances accountability, strengthens local capacity and ensures that WASH services continue to function long after interventions end. The four-year programme is funded by the UK Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO).
The inauguration of the Obubra LTG-WASH marks a significant milestone in Cross River State’s efforts to institutionalise community-driven and evidence-based WASH governance, reinforcing its commitment to universal access to safe water, improved sanitation and better hygiene practices.
As part of the three-day programme, which commenced on January 27, 2026, the capacity of LTG-WASH members and the Obubra Local Government WASH Department was assessed to identify gaps and strengthen readiness for effective service delivery.
The Obubra LTG-WASH is chaired by Mrs. Florence Asuk, with Mr. Nyiam John as Co-chairperson, Mr. Otu Ekanem as Secretary, Mr. Oyom Ayang as Mobilisation Officer, and Mr. Ovat Obo as Public Relations Officer.
By Stina Ezin, Calabar