By Abasi Ita
Abia State has been selected as one of six beneficiary states under the $700 million Sustainable Urban and Rural Water Supply, Sanitation and Hygiene Programme funded by the World Bank.
The Commissioner for Information, Okey Kanu, disclosed this on Monday while briefing journalists after the State Executive Council meeting presided over by Governor Alex Otti.
Kanu said the inclusion of Abia in the SURWASH programme reflects growing confidence by international development partners in the reforms being implemented by the state government.
“Abia State is getting these recognitions and support because of the transformation taking place across different sectors of governance in the state,” he said.
According to him, multilateral financial institutions are increasingly showing interest in partnering with the state as a result of ongoing reforms and development initiatives.
The commissioner also announced that the previously suspended small town Water, Sanitation and Hygiene project funded by United States Agency for International Development has resumed under a new arrangement being handled by Mercy Corps.
He explained that work would continue on water projects in Ubakala and Ariaria communities.
Speaking on developments in the power sector, Kanu disclosed that the Abia State Electricity Regulatory Agency had issued interim licences to three firms, namely New Era, Aba Power and Geometric Power, as part of efforts to improve electricity supply across the state.
He said the government’s half year power restoration project had reached about 85 per cent completion, adding that electricity supply to some parts of the state, including Ohafia, is expected to be fully restored before the end of the second quarter.
Kanu further revealed that the state government had commenced a 1.8 megawatt microgrid solar project aimed at powering central bus terminals in Umuahia and Aba as part of its clean energy transition programme.
On appointments, the commissioner announced the appointment of Prof. Deka Chioma Okoropo as Chief Medical Director of Abia State University Teaching Hospital.
He also said Dr Nkiru Kachidia Maduwe had been appointed Project Coordinator for the NEWMAP programme under the Ministry of Environment.
Kanu added that Governor Otti, who marks his third year in office this month, would celebrate the anniversary with project inaugurations rather than elaborate festivities.
“As has become the tradition of this administration, the anniversary will be marked with the commissioning of completed projects and the flag off of new ones across the three senatorial zones,” he stated.
He said the activities would also provide an opportunity for the government to assess progress recorded so far in the implementation of its development agenda across the state.