The Abia State government has declared a state of emergency in water, sanitation and hygiene, as Governor Okezie Ikpeazu signs into law the State Water Bill 2021.
Consequently, people are no longer allowed to defecate in open spaces, as it will give greater impetus to the Ministry of Environment to enforce the new regulations.
Ikpeazu explained that the essence of the law is to provide the legal framework to guide the state actions with regard to the provision of potable water to all households in the state.
According to him, water is essential for the socio-economic development of the state as well as the building of a healthy society.
He stated that the law makes it mandatory for the government to provide water for the people, adding that it also spells out the responsibilities of the citizens.
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He further noted that WASH policy is well thought-out with about seven components, as well as what the state stands to gain from it.
He appealed to development partners to continue to rise to the support of the state.
Chris Ezem, secretary to Abia State government and chairman, Steering Committee on Water, Sanitation and Hygiene, while presenting the bill to the governor, described the signing of the bill into law as a milestone.
He disclosed that the state has continued to partner USAID E-WASH over time, adding that the partnerships are increasing with new projects, such as rehabilitating the Ariaria and Ubakala water schemes, as well as delivering ICT equipment in the water sector.
Ezem stated that signing the water bill into law will facilitate those projects and bring other benefits to the state.
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