Abia pledges better access to safe water, sanitation services

n n

The Abia State Government has reaffirmed its commitment to improving access to safe water, sanitation and hygiene services through strategic partnerships, rehabilitation of water facilities and long-term infrastructure development.

n

The Commissioner for Power and Public Utilities, Ikechukwu Monday, stated this during a two-day Stakeholders’ Validation and Local Investment Plan workshop organised by the Federal Ministry of Water Resources and Sanitation in collaboration with the state Ministry of Power and Public Utilities and Teamwork Global Associates in Umuahia.

n

The workshop, which ended on Friday, focused on developing a comprehensive Rural Water Supply, Sanitation and Hygiene Investment Plan for the state.

n

Represented by the Director of Administration in the ministry, Nwaomiko Udo-Nwokocha, the commissioner urged participants to make meaningful contributions that would strengthen the implementation of the Federal Government’s rural WASH programme.

n

He said the state government was prioritising access to safe drinking water as a key driver of public health and sustainable development.

n

“We have a crucial commitment in our state as it concerns water. The state government remains deeply committed to transforming our water sector.

n

“We are moving away from temporary fixes towards sustainable, long-term infrastructure. Through strategic partnerships, rehabilitation of water schemes and modernisation of distribution networks, our goal is very clear – to ensure that every household, both in urban and rural communities, enjoys uninterrupted access to safe drinking water,” he said.

n

The General Manager of the Rural Water and Sanitation Agency, Uzo Kalu, said the workshop was designed to validate data collected during a statewide needs assessment conducted earlier this year across the 17 local government areas.

n

According to him, consultants from Teamwork Global Associates deployed enumerators to assess the status of water supply, sanitation and hygiene facilities across communities, while the workshop provided stakeholders with an opportunity to review and refine the findings before implementation.

n

Also speaking, WASH expert Mr Ishaku Ziyok, represented by the Team Lead of Teamwork Global Associates, Bamidele Igboro, said the exercise would enable stakeholders to critically evaluate the information gathered on water supply systems and sanitation facilities to ensure the final investment plan reflects the realities on the ground.

n

The Mayor of Ohafia Local Government Area, Chief Eleanya Kalu, and his Bende counterpart, Deacon Bassey Uwabunkeonye, expressed optimism that the validated report and stakeholders’ recommendations would complement the efforts of Governor Alex Otti’s administration in improving water, sanitation and hygiene services across Abia State.

n

The Federal Ministry of Water Resources and Sanitation has been working with state governments to develop Local Investment Plans under the Rural Water Supply, Sanitation and Hygiene programme.

n

The initiative is aimed at strengthening access to clean water and sanitation services, particularly in underserved rural communities, while supporting Nigeria’s efforts to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals on clean water and public health.

n n