Akwa Ibom State Government has declared its preparedness to collaborate with the Federal Government and Civil Society Organisations (CSO) in the fight against child labour, open defecation, and Water Sanitation and Hygiene (WASH) reforms.

The declaration was made, at a weekend, in Uyo, during advocacy visits to the Commissioner for Information and Strategy, Ini Ememobong by the Federal Ministry of Labour and Employment and the African Centre for Human Development.

While receiving the delegation, led by the state Controller, Mrs Sunshine Udeme, the Commissioner said information management and dissemination are very strategic in critical campaigns, such as the sensitive issues of child labour and pledged the preparedness of the ministry and the state government at large in the fight against the societal monster.

Represented by the Permanent Secretary, Akparawa James Edet, Ememobong stressed that for a harmonious working relationship between Federal and state governments, the Ministry of Information and Strategy has to be positioned as the melting pot for shared ideas, views and opinions that are critical to the overall development of the people and growth of the state.

“We already have a State Strategic Information Management committee, (SSIMC) which is an amalgam of relevant Federal Government establishments, and law enforcement agencies that meet monthly to take a look at information flow and strategic communications on topical issues in the state”, he said.

Ememobong added that Akwa Ibom State is one of the best in terms of development opportunities, as the government is very open to establishing working relationships that have valuable benefits to the people.

“You are here as a door opener for vital information dissemination and interface on fighting this ill that has eaten into the fabric of the society. Your visit will serve as a good avenue to interface and share ideas”, the Commissioner stated.

The state information helmsman reiterated that the collaboration with the Federal Ministry of Labour and Employment will aid in proper information and data gathering on Child Labour, noting that the partnership will ensure accurate information and proper representation of what is tenable in Akwa Ibom State vis-a-vis Child Labour.

Also speaking, the Head of Labour, Mr Henry Okon, disclosed that the Ministry of Labour and Employment has a national policy on Child Labour that mandates the Federal, State and Local Government to set up a Steering committee on child labour, pointing out that the policy also mandates them to seek collaboration in areas of media coverage with relevant stakeholders such as the Ministry of Information and Strategy.

Mr Okon further notified the Ministry of the plan to launch a sensitization and awareness campaign in communities in Akwa Ibom State, in 2023 on the existence of the intricacies of child labour.