Abia secures $700m World Bank water project

Abia State has been selected as one of six states in the federation to benefit from the Sustainable Urban, Rural and Water Sanitation Hygiene (SURWASH) project, a $700 million World Bank-funded water and sanitation initiative.

Okey Kanu, Commissioner for Information, disclosed this on Tuesday while briefing journalists on the outcome of the State Executive Council (EXCO) meeting presided over by Governor Alex Otti.

Kanu said that the SURWASH project would significantly improve access to potable water and sanitation across the State, adding that the initiative is a strong endorsement of ongoing governance reforms under the Otti-led Administration.

The Commissioner explained that the initiative covers both urban and rural areas and is designed to strengthen water supply systems and hygiene practices, noting that Abia’s inclusion reflects growing international confidence in the state’s governance trajectory.

“Of course, Abia State is getting all these recognitions and sponsorships around the globe in terms of what is going on in the state today.

“The massive transformation has gone on in the state in various aspects of governance in the state, so at every point all these multilateral finance agencies look our way as a state”, he added.

Kanu further revealed that the USAID Small-Town Water, Sanitation and Hygiene (WASH) project, previously suspended by the United States Government, has now resumed under a new funding arrangement facilitated by Mercy Corps.

According to the Commissioner, the project will entail the rehabilitation of both urban and rural water schemes in the state.

Kanu highlighted developments in the state’s power sector, including the issuance of three interim electricity licences by the Abia State Electricity Regulatory Authority to New Era, Aba Power Limited and Geometric Power.

The Commissioner said that the Ohafia Power Restoration Project had reached 85% completion and is expected to be delivered before the end of the fourth quarter of the year.

“So it is believed that by the end of the December quarter, the people from Ohafia will start enjoying full electricity”, he said.

Kanu further disclosed that the state had commenced the installation of a 1.8 megawatt microgrid solar power project to supply electricity to the Central Bus Terminals in Umuahia and Aba, in line with the clean energy transition agenda of the Otti-led Government.

The Commissioner also announced key appointments approved by the Governor, including Nneka Chioma Okoronkwo, a professor, as chief medical director of the Abia State University Teaching Hospital (ABSUTH), and Nkeiruka Chimdia Mmaduekwe, as project coordinator for the Nigeria Erosion and Watershed Management Project (NEWMAP) under the Ministry of Environment.

He said that both appointees would be formally inaugurated on Thursday at the Banquet Hall of Government House, Umuahia.

Kanu disclosed that the Otti-led Administration would mark its third anniversary on May 29 with a series of project commissioning and flag-off ceremonies across the three senatorial zones of the state rather than ceremonial celebrations.

He added that Governor Otti’s third anniversary would provide an opportunity for the administration to assess its performance and unveil new initiatives.

“As has become traditional with this government, the 3rd anniversary will be celebrated not with pomp and gaiety, but rather with project flag-offs and commissioning events.

“The 30th anniversary will enable the state government to flag off new projects and commission completed ones across the three senatorial zones of the state.

“The anniversary will offer the government the opportunity to take stock with regard to the transformation that has gone on in this state in the past two years plus”, he said.

Kanu noted that a planning committee had already been inaugurated, with a detailed schedule of events to be announced in due course.

Monday Ikechukwu, Commissioner for Power and Public Utilities, added that the SURWASH initiative covers projects across the three senatorial zones, targeting both water and sanitation improvements.

The Commissioner explained that the Small Town Water Supply and Sanitation Project, which experienced delays due to funding challenges linked to changes in the United States Agency for International Development programme, has now secured a new financier.

He said that the project is designed as a grant and focuses on rehabilitating water schemes to deliver potable water to communities, including Ubakala and parts of Isiala Ngwa.

Monday noted that work is ongoing across multiple sites, including CKC and Ubakala water schemes, with contractors already mobilised.

He said that the objective is to interconnect water schemes to enable the delivery of pipe-borne water to households, describing the development as a major step towards restoring potable water supply across the state.

He clarified that the interim status of the licences issued to the power distribution companies is part of a regulatory process that allows for technical reviews, compliance checks and the resolution of any objections before full approval.

Monday said that the transition also reflects the shift from federal oversight to state-level regulation, following the establishment of Abia’s electricity market.

On consumer protection, the commissioner said that the state government is prioritising accurate billing and improved service delivery, noting ongoing efforts to eliminate estimated billing through mass metering.

He highlighted that over 100,000 meters have already been deployed in Aba, with expansion to other parts of the state underway, adding that reforms in the Power sector being implemented in phases to ensure sustainability, while taking into account population growth and the need to meet future demand across Abia State.