Abia State is among six states selected to benefit from the $700 million Sustainable Urban and Rural Water Supply, Sanitation and Hygiene (SURWASH) Programme funded by the World Bank.
Briefing journalists on Monday after the State Executive Council (EXCO) meeting presided over by Governor Alex Otti, the Commissioner for Information, Okey Kanu, said the project reflects growing international confidence in the state’s governance reforms.
“Of course we know SURWASH means Sustainable Urban, Rural Water Sanitation and Hygiene.
“Abia State is getting all these recognitions and sponsorships around the globe because of what is going on in the state today. The massive transformation that has gone on in the state in various aspects of governance,” he said.
He added that multilateral development partners are increasingly focusing on the state due to ongoing reforms.
“So at every point, all these multilateral finance agencies look our way as a state,” he added.
Kanu also disclosed that the suspended USAID small-town WASH project has resumed under a new funding arrangement through Mercy Corps, with work expected to continue on water schemes in Ubakala and Ariaria.
