By Steve Unegbu

The Abia state government has stated its readiness to ensure that Abians are provided safe portable water for consumption ,noting that even though safe portable water is capital intensive, the present administration is working in synergy with the International agencies such as the United States Agency International Development ( USAID ) to provide safe portable water to the people.
The Abia state Commissioner for Public utilities and Water Resources ,Rt. Hon. Chidiebere Nwoke ,who disclosed this to newsmen after opening the Effective Water ,Sanitation and Hygiene ( E-WASH ) policy Review meeting, which is 3 -day program ,organized by the United States Agency International Development with the Abia State water critical stakeholders ,held at Glasjosh hotel Umuahia , said the people of Abia state has a right to provision of safe portable water ,but it is not easy ,it is so capital intensive .
Hon .Nwoke ,insisted that ,” the present administration is not folding her hands ,quite unlike before people were taking these things for granted ,even to bring this USAID to this place is not easy ,we have to go to Abuja almost two or three times in a week ” he noted
He revealed that out of the six States that were selected for this USAID program ,through out the federation, Abia state luckily happens to be among them ,pointing out that the USAID people are now resident in Abia state, putting all foundations in place to ensure safe portable water flows in the State ,adding that what is happening now will help to ensure its sustainability .
He maintained that , ” it is good that Abia leverages on this provision and offer being made by the international Agencies ,like the USAID to provide safe portable water flows in Abia “
Hon .Nwoke ,however ,disclosed that these international Agencies have preconditions ,which must be put in place ,before they come in to help ,”which include a clear cut policy on water ,in such situation ,every thing is streamlined and this is why the Abia state water critical stakeholders have come together to agree on the points that need to be streamlined and that is what we call water policy,which will after be looked into and stamped by the Abia state Executive council and will be sent to Abia state House Assembly to legalize “
Addressing Newsmen at the Program the General Manager ,Abia state water Board ,Engr.Ogbonna Chiemela Leo ,pointed out that before now , ” we have not done much in the water sector, the sector is bad ,this WASH sector can be used to regulate the water sector, our hospitals are congested due to diseases gotten from drinking bad water due to bad management of water “
He maintained that ,” we are starting from the scratch ” while commending USAID for coming at the right time ,saying within a short while ,Abians will see safe portable water back in Abia .