By Awyetu Asabe Hope
Abia State has been selected among six states to benefit from the $700m Sustainable Urban and Rural Water Supply, Sanitation and Hygiene programme funded by the World Bank.
Briefing journalists after the State Executive Council meeting presided over by Governor Alex Otti, the Commissioner for Information, Okey Kanu, said the development reflects growing international confidence in the state’s reforms and governance.
He added that multilateral agencies were increasingly focusing on Abia due to ongoing transformations across sectors.
Kanu also disclosed that the previously suspended USAID small-town WASH project has resumed under a new funding arrangement with Mercy Corps, with work continuing on water schemes in Ubakala and Ariaria.
In the power sector, he said the Abia State Electricity Regulatory Agency had issued interim licences to three firms—New Era, Aba Power and Geometric Power—under a “half-year power restoration project,” now about 85 per cent complete.
He added that full electricity supply to parts of the state, including Ohafia, is expected before the end of the second quarter.
The commissioner further announced the commencement of a 1.8-megawatt solar microgrid project to power central bus terminals in Umuahia and Aba as part of the state’s energy transition plan.
On appointments, Kanu said the governor approved Prof. Deka Chioma Okoropo as Chief Medical Director of Abia State University Teaching Hospital, and Dr Nkiru Kachidia Maduwe as Project Coordinator of NEWMAP under the Ministry of Environment.
He added that the governor’s third anniversary in office would be marked with project inaugurations and flag-offs across the state, rather than elaborate celebrations.
