Akwa Ibom State Environmental Protection and Waste Management Agency (AKSEPWMA) | Cholera Outbreak: AKSEPWMA Urges Residents to Maintain Hygiene, Proper Waste Management

In response to the state’s increased measures to prevent a cholera outbreak, the Chairman of the Akwa Ibom State Environmental Protection and Waste Management Agency (AKSEPWMA), Obong (Dr.) Prince Ikim, has called on residents to maintain high standards of personal and domestic hygiene.

Dr. Ikim made this appeal while speaking with journalists on Saturday during this month’s statewide environmental sanitation exercise. Although there have been no reported cases of cholera in Akwa Ibom, Dr. Ikim emphasized the importance of proactive measures to protect residents from the disease, which has claimed lives and hospitalized many in other states. “Cholera is a severe diarrheal illness caused by infection with the bacterium Vibrio cholerae. It spreads primarily through contaminated water and food, thriving in unsanitary conditions,” Dr. Ikim explained. He highlighted the agency’s intensified efforts to educate residents on proper waste disposal, frequent hand-washing with soap, and the use of proper sanitation facilities. “AKSEPWMA is committed to ensuring that waste generated across the state is promptly and efficiently managed, with service providers working around the clock to clean up black spots,” Dr. Ikim added. He praised the citizens’ participation in this month’s sanitation exercise, which focused on waste evacuation, and called for continued cooperation to support government efforts. The sanitation exercise began with a pre-sanitation effort on Thursday and Friday, involving massive waste evacuation at dump points across the Uyo metropolis. As of the time of filing this report, the agency had concluded the main sanitation exercise between 7 a.m. and 10 a.m. and was conducting a post-sanitation exercise that will continue throughout next week.

Dr. Ikim was accompanied by board members, including Hon. Victor Henry, Prince Charles-Uwem Ememobong, Engr. Ekaete Inyang FNSE, Engr. Anietie Elijah, and other management staff of AKSEPWMA.