Cross River State Governor Launches 2025 WASH Policy, Calls For Collective Action To Deliver Safe Water And Sanitation For All

 

By TheInvestigator

His Excellency, Senator Bassey Edet Otu, Governor of Cross River State, officially launched the State Water, Sanitation and Hygiene (WASH) Policy 2025 at a well-attended ceremony held at Channel View Hotel, Calabar. The event brought together government officials, legislators, development partners, civil society organisations, private sector representatives, and community leaders to mark a major milestone in the state’s drive toward universal access to safe water, dignified sanitation, and improved hygiene.

In his keynote address, Governor Otu described the launch as more than a ceremonial unveiling of a document. “Today is not just a ceremonial unveiling of a policy document; it is a celebration of shared vision, collective effort, and renewed commitment to improving the quality of life and health outcomes of our people,” he declared.

The governor highlighted the inclusive and transformative process behind the policy, noting that over the past year, stakeholders. “From the visioning workshop held in August 2024 to the final stakeholder validation in August 2025, the entire process reflected our collective determination to build a policy that responds to present realities while preparing for future challenges,” he said.

Governor Otu expressed profound gratitude to key contributors, particularly the State Executive Council, for providing the political will under the “People First” administration to prioritise WASH as an essential driver of human development.

Represented by the Commissioner for Water Resources, Barrister Bassey Mensah, commended Self Help Africa (SHA) for its technical and financial support through the WASH Systems for Health Programme, which ensured the policy aligned with global best practices while remaining locally relevant.

Emphasising that the policy’s true value lies in its implementation and impact, the governor stated: “This document represents a collective promise to our communities, to ensure safer water, dignified sanitation, improved hygiene practices and healthier lives.”

He urged all stakeholders to sustain the spirit of collaboration: “I enjoin all stakeholders in this sector to sustain this spirit of collaboration as we work together to translate the policy into practice to achieve long-term and sustainable benefits for every citizen of Cross River State.”

Concluding on an optimistic note, Governor Otu thanked everyone for their shared commitment and congratulated all present: “Thank you for your shared commitment, as I congratulate everyone of us for this great milestone.”

The country director, Self Help Africa (SHA), Dr Joy Adelere, commended the state government for launching the WASH policy, reiterating that it is a significant step.

“This policy is an inclusive and forward-looking framework that aligns with national and international standards,” she said.

Aderele added that, “Good WASH governance involves making the right decisions and implementing them effectively by leveraging partnerships for sustainable change within the sector.”

The 2025 WASH Policy establishes clear institutional reforms, including an independent WASH Regulatory Commission, commercialisation of the Cross River State Water Board Limited (CRSWBL), creation of a Small Towns Water and Sanitation Agency (STOWA), and strengthened rural systems under RUWATSSA. It sets minimum service standards (30-20 litres per capita per day depending on settlement type), mandates safety plans for water and sanitation, promotes inclusive financing through the “3Ts + R” model, and emphasises innovation, gender equity, disability inclusion, and real-time monitoring via a public WASH dashboard.

The launch concluded with a symbolic handover of the policy document to selected stakeholders, signalling the start of decentralised implementation. 

Cross River is positioning itself as a frontrunner in Nigeria’s efforts to achieve Sustainable Development Goal 6 by 2030, ensuring safe, managed water and sanitation for all, leaving no one behind.