Cross River State to Enhance Water Access with Funding

Cross River State is set to tackle persistent funding gaps in its water, sanitation, and hygiene (WASH) sector by collaborating with financial institutions and development partners. During a two-day draft review in Calabar, Bassei Mensah expressed concerns over the underutilization of 200 water schemes across the state, noting that many boreholes remain idle due to inadequate maintenance and unreliable power supply.

The government aims to engage in projects, including a €1 billion scheme funded by the EU, focusing on converting idle water schemes to solar power, particularly in rural schools. The initiative emphasizes gender inclusivity, prioritizing female school attendance and health outcomes.

Charl Abiola, Managing Director of Ekondo Microfin Bank, highlighted the need for a collaborative approach involving banks and microfinance institutions to ensure sustainable WASH financing. The strategy includes rehabilitating abandoned water schemes and linking them to solar power systems to create a financial model for long-term sustainability of WASH services across the state.