Cross River: Non-payment of counterpart fund threatens UNICEF programmes

The non-payment of 25 percent counterpart fund by the Cross River State government is threatening United Nations International Children’s Emergency Fund’s (UNICEF) Water, Sanitation and Hygiene (WASH) programmes in the state.

Accordingly, UNICEF, United Purpose and other stakeholders in water and sanitation projects, have appealed to the state government to provide the fund expected to enable communities benefit from the WASH programmes in the state.
 
In a communiqué jointly signed by relevant stakeholders, including Partners For Development, at the weekend, in Calabar, during a one-day engagement with State WASH Steering Committee and stakeholders on Water Supply and Sanitation Sector Reform Programme (WSSSRP) II status, they said government had not done enough.

They expressed fears that people stand to lose, if measures were not taken.
 
The Director General of the state’s Rural Water Supply and Sanitation Agency, (RUWATSSA), Mr. Ita Ikpeme, said the state government could not raise the counterpart fund to support donor agencies in WASH projects because the state is neck deep in debt.

UNICEF WASH Supervisor, Cross River state, Mr. James Beetseh and United Purpose Country Director, Mr. Lex Merlijn commended the state government for declaring state of emergency on water and sanitation in the state.