The Abia State Government has disclosed that all 58 water scheme projects spread across the state’s three senatorial districts are currently non-functional, despite decades of investment in the sector.

The Commissioner for Public Utilities and Power, Engr. Ikechukwu Monday, made the disclosure during a two-day Stakeholders Engagement Framework Workshop on the implementation of the Sustainable Urban and Rural Water Supply, Sanitation and Hygiene (SURWASH) Programme in Umuahia.
The workshop, themed “Towards SURWASH Project Implementation in Abia State,” was jointly organised by the Federal Ministry of Water Resources and Sanitation and the Abia State Ministry of Public Utilities and Power at Sun Haven Hotel.

Monday said that although Abia, created over three decades ago, has 58 water schemes across its three senatorial zones, none of the facilities is currently producing water.
He noted that the administration of Governor Alex Otti inherited the abandoned and non-functional infrastructure and has made the provision of potable water and improved sanitation a priority.

According to him, the government is putting in place a sustainable operational framework to revive the water sector, improve sanitation and hygiene services, eliminate open defecation and deploy renewable energy solutions to ensure the long-term sustainability of water facilities.
“Access to potable water remains a key priority of the present administration. Beyond rehabilitating infrastructure, the government is institutionalising a framework that will guarantee efficient operation and sustainability of water schemes across the state,” he said.

The commissioner also announced that Abia is among seven states selected to benefit from the second phase of the 410 million dollars Sustainable Urban and Rural Water Supply, Sanitation and Hygiene (SURWASH) Programme after successfully meeting the programme’s rigorous assessment and eligibility requirements.
A delegation from the Federal Ministry of Water Resources and Sanitation, led by the National Coordinator of SURWASH, Engr. Abdulhamid Adamu Gwaram, formally inaugurated the programme in the state and sensitised stakeholders on strategies for maximising its benefits.

Speaking during the workshop, Gwaram described SURWASH as a comprehensive sector-wide reform programme rather than a conventional infrastructure project.
He explained that the initiative is designed to strengthen water supply, sanitation and hygiene services through institutional reforms, improved service delivery and enhanced sustainability.

The national coordinator commended the Otti administration for demonstrating commitment to improving access to safe water and sanitation, describing the programme as a major intervention with significant public health and socio-economic benefits.
He said the stakeholders’ engagement was aimed at formally introducing the programme to representatives of ministries, departments and agencies, local government authorities and other critical stakeholders while outlining their roles in ensuring successful implementation over the programme’s seven-year lifespan.

The workshop attracted key government officials, including the Commissioner for Health, Prof. Enoch Uche, the Commissioner for Women Affairs, Dr. Maureen Aghukwa, mayors and chairmen of local government councils, as well as development partners and other stakeholders.
Participants deliberated on strategies for strengthening water governance, improving sanitation services and promoting hygiene practices through technical sessions, lectures, panel discussions and interactive question-and-answer sessions.