Akwa Ibom State Clinches Nigeria’s Cleanest State Title for the Sixth Consecutive Time

Akwa Ibom State has secured its position as Nigeria’s cleanest state for the sixth consecutive time, surpassing Ebonyi State, the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Abuja, and other states.

The announcement was made in Uyo, the state capital, following a survey conducted under the project review circus named ‘STONE Pro-Max 2023.’

Under the STONE project initiated in 2018, Akwa Ibom has consistently maintained the top spot, winning five times in a row. The National Coordinator/Secretary of the National Technical Study Group on Clean Up Nigeria, Prince Ene Baba Owoh, Jr., congratulated the government and people of Akwa Ibom for this achievement.

Akwa Ibom State received a cumulative score of 72 percent, earning it the Cleanest State in Nigeria Pro-Max 2023 Green Crystal Award. The award recognizes the state’s performance in various indicators over the six-year review period (2018-2023).

Ebonyi State and the FCT secured the second and third positions with scores of 50 and 47 percent, respectively. Prince Owoh encouraged stakeholders to engage in a peer review mechanism, learning from the best-performing states to enhance their performance.

The Chairman of Akwa Ibom State Environmental Protection and Waste Management Agency (AKSPEWMA), Prince Akpan Ikim, expressed gratitude to former Governor Victor Attah for creating the agency in 2000. He also acknowledged the contributions of former Governor Godswill Akpabio and the continuous support of Governor Udom Emmanuel.

Ikim highlighted the state’s commitment to environmental sustainability, waste management, and recycling initiatives. He praised Governor Umo Eno for prioritizing cleanliness and expressed the government’s dedication to creating an institutional framework that supports a safe environment.

Clean Up Nigeria Initiative was commended for recognizing excellence, and Akwa Ibom State pledged to maintain its status as a model clean state in Nigeria. The chairman emphasized collaboration with the House of Assembly Committee on Environment to develop laws in line with international best practices and encourage investments in waste management.