Participants at the workshop collectively underscored the urgent need for increased investment in WASH infrastructure, sustained community engagement, and robust monitoring systems to maintain and expand ODF status across communities.
By Asuquo Cletus
Communities across Cross River State have intensified calls for stronger grassroots-driven solutions, improved access to potable water, and sustained government investment to accelerate efforts to eliminate open defecation and safeguard public health.
The call formed the central message of a two-day Basic Sanitation Access Roadmap Draft Review Workshop held in Calabar, where traditional leaders, government officials, development partners, and sanitation advocates assessed progress, identified persistent gaps, and charted strategies to strengthen sanitation outcomes across the state.
Speaking during the workshop, a community leader from Abi Local Government Area, Chief John Nkanu Ivon, stressed that reliable water supply remains the backbone of effective sanitation and hygiene practices, warning that efforts to promote sanitation cannot succeed without functional water infrastructure.
He expressed concern over the gradual deterioration of water systems in many communities, recalling a period when access to potable water was more consistent across the state.
“You cannot preach hygiene and sanitation when there is no water. Water solves most of the problems. In those days, water flowed across communities, but today, many areas lack access,” he said.
Chief Ivon noted that, despite infrastructure challenges, several communities have demonstrated resilience and initiative by constructing and managing shared sanitation facilities, as well as establishing local enforcement mechanisms to discourage open defecation.
“In our community, we built shared toilets and introduced a system where users contribute to maintenance. We also have youth task forces that monitor and enforce compliance. But we need more support, especially in providing water and fixing non-functional boreholes,” he added.
He further urged local government authorities to demonstrate leadership by ensuring that council headquarters and public institutions are equipped with functional water and sanitation facilities, describing this as essential to building public trust and encouraging compliance at the community level.
Also speaking, the South-South Zonal Coordinator of the Clean Nigeria Campaign, Susan Offiono, commended Cross River State for its pioneering role in Nigeria’s sanitation drive, noting that it recorded an early milestone achieving Open Defecation Free status in one of its local government areas.
However, she cautioned that progress has slowed in recent years and called for renewed commitment, stronger coordination, and sustained investment to consolidate previous gains and prevent regression.
“This roadmap provides an opportunity to reflect, refocus, and accelerate efforts. We must strengthen collaboration among the state, local governments, communities, and development partners to ensure that no community is left behind,” Offiono said.
She also praised the state government for demonstrating political commitment through the release of counterpart funding for sanitation programmes, particularly in Obubra Local Government Area, describing the move as a positive signal of sustained institutional support for the sector.
Chairman of Yala Local Government Area, Dr Fred Okem, highlighted the direct relationship between sanitation and public health outcomes, noting that improved hygiene and sanitation practices remain critical to reducing disease burden, improving community wellbeing, and lowering healthcare costs.
He expressed optimism that the roadmap development process would strengthen coordination among stakeholders and enhance the effectiveness of ongoing sanitation interventions across the state.
Participants at the workshop collectively underscored the urgent need for increased investment in WASH infrastructure, sustained community engagement, and robust monitoring systems to maintain and expand ODF status across communities.
They also emphasised the importance of community ownership of sanitation facilities, noting that active local participation in planning, implementation, and maintenance remains a key determinant of long-term sustainability.
The workshop concluded with a renewed commitment by stakeholders to prioritise water access, strengthen local enforcement mechanisms, and scale up community-led initiatives aimed at ending open defecation across Cross River State.