In a major stride toward eradicating open defecation and enhancing public health, members of the Obubra Local Government Area Task Group on WASH (LTG-WASH) have successfully completed a comprehensive three-day capacity improvement workshop.
The training, held at the Obubra Local Government Council Secretariat, was conducted under the auspices of the WASH Systems for Health (WS4H) Programme. The initiative aimed to arm local officials and stakeholders with the technical and advocacy skills necessary to drive the community-led total sanitation (CLTS) agenda.
Organized by 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), the workshop covered a wide spectrum of critical interventions. These included hygiene promotion, water safety plans, gender mainstreaming, and resource mobilization.
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Declaring the session open, Dr. Okon Ita, Chairman of the State Task Group on WASH (STG-WASH), emphasized that the state government has laid the groundwork for success through significant policy reforms and financial backing.
“The release of the counterpart funding speaks volumes amidst the launch of the state water policy and the ODF prohibition bill currently being worked on,” Dr. Okon stated. “With these, Obubra has no reason to fail, and I employ you all to put all hands on deck.”
Dr. Okon, who was represented at the event by Engr. Eni Nkanu, further noted that the training curriculum was specifically designed to remove any technical or administrative bottlenecks hindering the project’s progress.
The workshop featured a heavy emphasis on practical application. Facilitators led by Mrs. Kogbara Ayaba from the Federal Ministry of Water Resources, supported by Mrs. Ikwor Bassey of RUWATSSA, guided participants through the “F-Diagram” of disease transmission and the national protocols for Open Defecation Free (ODF) certification.
Beyond technical sanitation, the sessions delved into the business and governance side of WASH, including Market-Based Sanitation approaches and financial accountability in managing water schemes. Breakout groups allowed members to map out local challenges unique to Obubra and propose coordinated solutions.
The workshop culminated in the development of a detailed work plan for the Obubra LTG-WASH. This roadmap is intended to guide the group—which was inaugurated earlier in 2026 under the leadership of Chairperson Mrs. Florence Asuk—in driving community ownership of water and sanitation facilities.
Reflecting on the impact of the three-day program, the alternate chairman of the Obubra LTG-WASH, Mr. John Nte, expressed a renewed sense of urgency and purpose.
“We are committed to translating this acquired knowledge into tangible results,” Mr. Nte said. “This means stronger hygiene promotion campaigns, sustainable sanitation services, and effective resource mobilisation to support WASH projects across all Obubra communities.”
This initiative marks a pivotal chapter in Cross River State’s broader strategy to strengthen WASH systems through institutional capacity building and strategic partnerships, ultimately ensuring that safe water and dignified sanitation become a reality for every resident.
