INNOVATION!
AKROIMA supports invention of hands-free hand-washing machine to combat COVID-19

By Nseobong Umoidem

The Akwa Ibom State Roads & Other Infrastructure Maintenance Agency (AKROIMA) has supported the invention of automated hand-free, safer hand-washing machine as part of its efforts to promote hand-washing, which is one of the safety measures to combat the spread of the novel COVID-19 pandemic.

The chairman of the Agency, Prince Godwin Ntuk Udeh, Ph.D who took delivery of the hand-washing machines on Tuesday, said that the efforts by the Agency to provide inputs for the invention of the hand-washing machine is to support Governor Emmanuel in ensuring that coronavirus is fought to a standstill in Akwa Ibom State.

“As part of our contribution to launch a war against COVID-19 as declared by His Excellency, Governor Udom Gabriel Emmanuel, AKROIMA has decided to do something unique to support the Government of Akwa Ibom State in waging war against coronavirus, that is why we encouraged one of our indigenous technologists to come up with the concept where people can wash their hands using their legs, without having contacts with the machine”, Ntuk Udeh explained.

The AKROIMA boss noted that with the availability of the device, hand-washing becomes a lot more easier and will reduce the spread of the deadly coronavirus pandemic.

He further recommended the hands-free hand-washing machine to every government offices, private and corporate organizations as well as for use by households. His words:

“Government, Departments, Agencies and corporations can borrow a leaf from the innovation by AKROIMA and inquire to know how they can acquire the hands-free hand-washing device, then we in AKROIMA can link up with the indigenous technologist to ensure that the device is supplied to and sundry.”

He thanked members of the AKROIMA Board who rose in unison to support and encourage the indigenous technologist on the innovation and invention. Ntuk Udeh also commended the upcoming technological expert for heeding to advice by members of the AKROIMA Board, which he noted, enhanced his success on the innovation.

On his part, the inventor of the hand-washing machines, Mr. Aniekan Onomkpöinam said the innovation was borne out of his desire to avoid a situation where people may be exposed to the risk of contracting COVID-19 while opening the tap on the usual hand-washing pails in the course of washing their hands.

"Every time I went to people's homes or offices to see people open the tap to wash their hands with the usual pails, I thought about the possibility of still contracting the deadly COVID-19 pandemic because different people touch the tap at different times, so I came up with the idea of inventing the hands-free hand-washing machine", Aniekan maintained.

He thanked AKROIMA for supporting him and sharpening his ideas to make the invention a success, and prayed God to bless the Chairman, Prince Godwin Ntuk Udeh, Ph.D.

The hands-free hand-washing machine has the facility to store soap, hand-sanitizer and dispose water without hand with the device.

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Nice innovation

I dedicate this ftc to my honourable Comrade Nyseom Ezenwo wike the Emperor of Rivers state for relaxing the lockdown for some days.