By Ihechinyere Chigemeri-Uwom

The Abia Government says the state has emerged as one of the six states in the country selected to benefit from the World Bank-funded Sustainable Urban, Rural and Water Sanitation Hygiene (SURWASH) project.

The Commissioner for Information, Mr Okey Kanu, disclosed this while briefing newsmen at the Government House, Umuahia on the outcome of Monday’s State Executive Council meeting.

Kanu said that the multi-million dollar project would support water sanitation and hygiene programmes aimed at improving access to potable water and sanitation services in the state.

He said that Abia’s choice for the project reflected growing confidence by international development partners in the state government’s reforms and infrastructure drive.

He also announced the resumption of the USAID Small-Town WASH project (STWASH), which had earlier been suspended by the American Government.

According to Kanu, the project has secured a new funding arrangement through Mercy Corps and will focus on the rehabilitation of urban and rural water schemes across the state.

Speaking on developments in the power sector, he said that the Abia State Electricity Regulatory Authority had issued three interim licences to three companies, namely: New Era, Aba Power and Geometric Power.

He said that the Ohafia Power Restoration Project had reached 85 per cent completion and was expected to be delivered before the end of the fourth quarter of the year.

The commissioner further disclosed that the installation of a 1.8 megawatt micro-grid solar power for the central bus terminals in Umuahia and Aba had commenced.

He said the initiative formed part of the State Government’s integrated clean energy transition programme.

He also announced the appointment of Prof. Nneka Okoronkwo as the new Chief Medical Director of Abia State University Teaching Hospital.

He said that Gov. Alex Otti also approved the appointment of Dr Nkeiruka Mmaduekwe as the Project Manager, Nigeria Erosion and Watershed Management Project, under the Ministry of Environment.

He said the governor would formally swear-in the appointees on Thursday.

Kanu further said that the State Government would mark its third anniversary later in May with project inaugurations and flag-offs across the three senatorial districts, instead of elaborate celebrations.

He said that the government had chosen to celebrate the anniversary through developmental activities rather than elaborate festivities.

He said, “A planning committee has already been inaugurated to coordinate the anniversary events, while details of the programme would be announced in due course.” (NAN)

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