World Bank Picks Abia for $700m Water, Sanitation Project

The World Bank has selected Abia State as one of six states to benefit from its $700 million Sustainable Urban and Rural Water Supply, Sanitation and Hygiene (SURWASH) programme.

The state’s Commissioner for Information, Okey Kanu, disclosed this on Monday while briefing journalists after the State Executive Council meeting chaired by Governor Alex Otti.

According to Kanu, the selection reflects growing international confidence in the governance reforms ongoing in the state. He noted that multilateral development partners are increasingly turning their attention to Abia because of the massive transformation recorded across various sectors.

He also announced the resumption of the suspended USAID small-town WASH project, which will now continue under a new funding arrangement through Mercy Corps. Work is expected to restart on water schemes in Ubakala and Ariaria.

In the power sector, the commissioner said the Abia State Electricity Regulatory Agency has issued interim licences to three companies New Era, Aba Power, and Geometric Power as part of efforts to boost electricity supply. He described a half-year power restoration project as about 85 per cent complete, adding that full supply to areas including Ohafia is expected before the end of the second quarter.

Kanu further disclosed the commencement of a 1.8-megawatt microgrid solar project to power central bus terminals in Umuahia and Aba, describing it as part of the state’s energy transition programme.

On appointments, Governor Otti approved Prof. Deka Chioma Okoropo as Chief Medical Director of Abia State University Teaching Hospital and Dr Nkiru Kachidia Maduwe as Project Coordinator for NEWMAP under the Ministry of Environment.

The commissioner added that the governor, who marks three years in office this month, will celebrate the anniversary in a low-key manner. He said the administration would instead commission completed projects and flag off new ones across the three senatorial zones while assessing progress made so far in the state’s development agenda.