NEWS
Abia Secures $700 Million World Bank SURWASH Project as Otti’s Reforms Attract Global Recognition
Abia State has recorded a major breakthrough in its development trajectory, emerging as one of six states selected to benefit from the 700 million Dollars Sustainable Urban and Rural Water Supply, Sanitation, and Hygiene (SURWASH) project of the World Bank.
The Commissioner for Information, Prince Okey Kanu, made this known on Monday at Government House, Umuahia, while briefing journalists on the outcome of this week’s State Executive Council meeting presided over by Governor Alex Otti.
According to Prince Kanu, the inclusion of Abia in the high-impact international programme is a direct reflection of the sweeping reforms and visible transformation currently taking place across the state under Governor Otti’s leadership.
“The massive transformation going on in all facets of governance in the state is responsible for all the recognition from multilateral donor agencies look our way as a state.
“The USAID Small Town WASH project which was suspended by the American government some time ago has resumed under a new funder. A new funder emerged through Mercy Corps.
“The USAID project will entail the rehabilitation of both Ubakala and Ariaria water schemes,“ Prince Kanu stated.
Further shedding light on the scope and technical components of the intervention, the Commissioner for Power and Public Utilities, Engr. Ikechukwu Monday, explained that the SURWASH initiative will focus on reviving critical water infrastructure to ensure access to clean and potable water for residents, particularly within the Ubakala and Ariaria areas.
“For the Ariaria water scheme, the plan is to link it to the storage at Okigwe (Aba).
“And you know, we’re already also working to see if, at some point, all these water schemes will be linked to provide pipe-borne water to our people.
“If you go to Ubakala, you will also find that the contractor is already on site. So, this is a big milestone in the move to re- introduce potable water to our homes, to the people of Abia,“ he stated.
For the SURWASH, he thanked Governor Otti for his commitment in fulfilling his campaign promises, particularly, in the area of provision of water.
“We have selected projects across the three senatorial zones. So, I would like to really commend the efforts of the Governor in ensuring that Abia state is part of this project,“ he said.
The SURWASH programme, backed by the World Bank and supported by development partners such as USAID and Mercy Corps, is designed to strengthen water supply systems, improve sanitation, and promote hygiene practices in participating states.
For Abia, this development signals not just a restoration of critical infrastructure but also a renewed confidence from the international community in the state’s governance framework, marking a significant step toward sustainable public health, economic growth, and improved quality of lif
e for its citizens.