By Our Reporter
OBUBRA (CONVERSEER) – The Cross River 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), weekend, inaugurated the Obubra Local Government Area Task Group on Water, Sanitation and Hygiene (LTG-WASH) to strengthen WASH governance and service delivery at the grassroots level.
The three-day inauguration programme was held at the Obubra Local Government Council Secretariat.
Declaring the event open, the Chairman of the State Task Group on Water, Sanitation and Hygiene (STG-WASH), Dr Okon Ita, said the event is “aimed towards system strengthening considering the LGA’s WASH status.” He noted that no meaningful development can be achieved without “LTG-WASH”.
The STG-WASH chairman called on the members of the task group in Obubra to serve with both hands on deck.
Dr Ita, represented by Engr Eni Nkanu, a director in the Ministry of Water Resources, pledged his office’s support to ensure that no stone is left unturned in improving WASH service delivery.
Earlier, the Chairman of Obubra Local Government Area, Hon Kingsley Arikpo, while welcoming participants, expressed gratitude to the state government and its partners for coming to the aid of the Obubra people.
Represented by Hon James Ekoh, the Chairman stated that the inauguration of the Obubra LTG-WASH is a bold step.
This was followed by an overview of the WASH System for Health (WS4H) programme through which SHA is intervening in the State.
Moderating this session, Mr Ferdinand Anok, SHA State Coordinator, maintained that the programme’s objective is “Strengthening WASH systems to ensure sustainable, reliable, resilient, and inclusive WASH service delivery in Nigeria and Sierra Leone. In Nigeria, we are working in Kano and Cross River States.”
He added that the WS4H programme focuses on systems, which is deliberate to enhance the sustainability of WASH services.
The WS4H is a four-year programme funded by the FCDO. The inauguration marks a significant milestone in Cross River State’s efforts to institutionalise inclusive, evidence-based, and community-driven WASH governance, reinforcing the state’s commitment to achieving universal access to safe water, improved sanitation, and better public health outcomes in Obubra Local Government Area.
As part of the three-day event, which began on January 27, 2026, the capacity of the Obubra LTG-WASH members and the WASH department of the Council was assessed.
The Chairperson of Obubra LTG-WASH is Mrs Florence Asuk; Co-chairperson is Mr Nyiam John; Secretary is Otu Ekanem; Mobilisation Officer is Mr Oyom Ayang; and PRO is Mr Ovat Obo.
