Governor Alex Otti of Abia State has reaffirmed his administration’s resolve to tackle poor sanitation, water scarcity, and unreliable energy supply through the launch of the Abia Integrated WASH Accelerated Programme (AIWAP).
The AIWAP programme aims to ensure optimal use of available WASH resources while leveraging renewable energy technologies and strengthening governance to improve local economic opportunities for Abia residents
Speaking on Wednesday in Umuahia during the inauguration of the AIWAP pilot facility, Governor Otti described the project as a crucial step towards ending open defecation and providing sustainable alternatives for residents.
“This is a great project because you cannot forbid open defecation if people have nowhere to go”, he said.
Governor Otti disclosed that the pilot centre is one of ten such facilities planned across strategic locations in the state, with additional projects set to follow in the coming months.
According to the Governor, the initiative goes beyond basic sanitation by integrating clean water supply and renewable solar energy into a single, comprehensive scheme.
“This facility combines sanitation, solar power, and clean water. It’s significant because of the integrated impact we aim to achieve”, he added.
Also speaking, the Commissioner for Power and Public Utilities, Mr Ikechukwu Monday, said that under the first phase of AIWAP, ten Water, Sanitation and Hygiene (WASH) centres would be constructed statewide.
Mr Monday explained that three of the facilities would be located in Umuahia, with two already under construction, and emphasised that the centres were designed to be modern, eco-friendly, and accessible to all.
“This is one of 10 Water, Sanitation and Hygiene (WASH) centres across the state, as three are located in Umuahia, with two already under construction. The design is user-friendly and inclusive, especially for people living with disabilities”, he said.
He noted that the project’s design had been reviewed by the World Bank and the Federal Ministry of Water Resources and Sanitation to ensure compliance with global standards.
The Commissioner further highlighted that each facility would feature gender-specific toilets and washrooms, a steady water supply powered entirely by solar energy, and extended free water access for nearby communities.
He revealed that a borehole rig had already been procured to boost the provision of potable water in rural areas.
“Later today, Governor Otti will also flag off the Aba Regional Water Scheme Rehabilitation project to further boost potable water access,” Monday announced.
He noted that AIWAP aligns with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goal 6, which promotes clean water and sanitation for all, and reiterated the Otti administration’s commitment to people-centred, integrated development.
