The Shared Prosperity Government of Imo State, under the visionary leadership of His Excellency, Distinguished Senator Hope Uzodimma, is committed to an improved and gender-friendly Water, Sanitation and Hygiene (WASH) for all Imo citizens.
The Honourable Commissioner for Water Resources, Ozo Obinna Ogwuegbu, made this statement yesterday in Owerri, while commending the Member Representing Aboh-Mbaise State Constituency and House Committee Chairman on Water Resources Hon Princewill Ugochukwu for aligning himself with the strides of His Excellency,the Governor of Imo State as they concern public hygiene, sanitation and water through his motion in the House.
According to the Commissioner, the Uzodimma-led administration has already recorded significant progresses in improving water, sanitation and hygiene services in Imo State, one of which is through the Nigeria Sustainable Urban and Rural Water Supply, Sanitation, and Hygiene (NG-SURWASH) program. Ozo Ogwuegbu assured the public of the state government’s sustainable improvements in clean, healthy, inclusive and gender-friendly WASH facilities, noting that the government through the Ministry of Water Resources is prioritizing the eradication of open defecation in line with the Presidential Executive Order on Clean Nigeria: Use the Toilet Campaign.
In furtherance of his statement, the Commissioner corrected the notion that the Correctional Centre in Owerri which the Honorable Member of the State House of Assembly mentioned in his motion is a federal establishment managed by the Federal Government, noting that the state government should not be held responsible for its poor sanitation and hygiene conditions but can assist to ensure hygienic and sustainable development.
The Commissioner however said that through the efforts of His Excellency Ezinihitte Mbaise Local Government Area achieved the landmark status of being declared Open Defecation Free(ODF). This tangible milestone is serving as a trustworthy blueprint for other LGAs in the state to undergo the Community-Led Total Sanitation (CLTS) process for similar recognition.
He also informed journalists that the state government has initiated and approved workable partnerships with private sector stakeholders to construct inclusive, gender-friendly, and climate-resilient toilet facilities in public places. These efforts are part of a statewide rollout aimed at addressing sanitation gaps in schools, markets, motor parks, and other critical locations.
Development partners including USAID, OPS-WASH, and World Bank are among the key international stakeholders with whom the state government through its Ministry of Water Resources has consistently interacted. These engagements have made it easier to exchange information and gather resources in order to declare Imo State free of open defecation.
The Honorable Commissioner pointed out that in addition to addressing the current sanitation challenges, the Uzodimma government is establishing a long-term framework for health and environmental safety.
“His Excellency has demonstrated his unwavering commitment to tackling open defecation challenges and improving WASH infrastructure. The ongoing partnerships and projects under His Excellency reflect a deliberate strategy to create a cleaner, healthier, and more dignified environment for all Imolites,” he said.
The Honourable Commissioner assures the public that the government will continue to work tirelessly to bring the expected succour through efficient implementation and monitoring of all 3R initiatives as they relate to water, sanitation and hygiene.
Christopher Ononukwe
Media Aide to the Honourable Commissioner for Water Resources