By Regional Editor
Governor Alex Otti of Abia State Wednesday reaffirmed his administration’s resolve to provide access to potable water across the State. He made this known while speaking at the flag-off event of the first phase of the resuscitation of the long-abandoned Aba Urban Water Scheme.
The Governor described water as an inalienable right, critical to human survival, hygiene, education, and economic productivity.
Said he: “Life is threatened when water supply is either inadequate or compromised”.
He said that the project formed part of the Abia Integrated WASH Accelerated Programme (AIWAP), which aimed to place a public water standpipe within a two To three-minute walk from every home.
AIWAP, Otti said, was not just about water, but about improving health, supporting education, enhancing emergency services, and driving economic growth.
He said that the initiative would also help eliminate open defecation and environmental pollution, with model WASH facilities powered by renewable energy.
The Governor disclosed that the State had faced setbacks earlier in the year due to sudden changes in international development aid but found local solutions to finance the project.
He also announced that the high-capacity water drilling rig recently acquired by the State would be deployed to more communities before the end of the year to tackle acute water challenges.
Otti commended the Commissioner for Power and Public Utilities, Mr Ikechukwu Monday, and his team for their dedication, and promised enhanced security for all public utilities.
Otti also urged the people of Abia State to pay their taxes, protect public infrastructure, and report vandalism.
Monday who described the initiative as bold and transformative, said that many communities still suffered water challenges, with children trekking long distances to access often unsafe water sources.
He stressed that the issue went beyond infrastructure, describing it as a crisis of dignity, human development, and equity.
Monday said that the water scheme, located at Christ the King Cathedral, Aba, had a production capacity of over one million cubic metres daily.
He said that due to ageing infrastructure and poor maintenance, the scheme had become largely dysfunctional and required urgent rehabilitation.
Teh Commissioner expressed gratitude to the State government for prioritising access to potable water across the State, especially in urban and semi-urban areas.
He also acknowledged support from UNICEF, the European Union, the World Bank, and the Federal Ministry of Water Resources and Sanitation.
Monday said all water facilities under the programme would be powered by solar energy, ensuring sustainability and resilience.
The project, he said integrates water, sanitation, hygiene, renewable energy, health, education, climate resilience, and economic growth.
He emphasised that sustainability and community ownership were central to the programme’s long-term success.
Monday said that the local systems were being strengthened through monitoring plans, policy reforms, and capacity building for effective service delivery.
He called on communities, traditional institutions, private sector, and civil society to actively support the initiative.
Monday reiterated that access to clean water should be seen as a shared responsibility, not solely that of the government.
He described the flag-off as a new chapter in Abia State’s journey towards dignity, health, and prosperity.
Monday said that the initiative reflected the State government’s commitment to building a cleaner, healthier, and more resilient Abia State.
In separate interviews with newsmen, some Aba residents expressed their appreciation to the Governor for delivering on his promise to restore water in Aba.
Mrs Chinyere Onyeukwu, founder of Igbo bu Otu Gburugburu, an NGO, described the launch as historic, noting that water had not flowed in the area for over 20 years.
Onyeukwu praised the Governor’s commitment, and for being “a man of his words”.
She prayed that detractor would never succeed in derailing the Governor’s vision, thanking him and his wife for their dedication to the people.
Mrs Joy Uba, a member of Christ the King Cathedral Catholic Women Organisation, described clean water as vital for homes, offices, and places of worship, adding that “water is life”.
Uba said the event was a joyful celebration and commended Otti for his thoughtful leadership in addressing a long-standing need.
She extended heartfelt thanks to the Governor, wishing him success in all aspects of his administration.
