The Ebonyi State Government has reaffirmed its commitment to improving access to safe water as the Society for Family Health (SFH) flagged off its Water, Sanitation and Hygiene (WASH) emergency intervention in the state.
Speaking in Abakaliki while receiving an SFH delegation, the Commissioner for Water Resources, Hon. Chinedum Magnus Nkah, commended the initiative and assured of the government’s readiness to sustain the partnership.
The visit was facilitated by the General Manager of the Ebonyi State Rural Water Supply and Sanitation Agency (EBRUWASSA), Engr. Agwu Joseph, who explained that SFH, drawing from Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) data, identified Ikwo, Ezza South and Abakaliki Local Government Areas as priority communities for intervention.
He said the programme would focus on community sensitization, training, and provision of safe water treatment solutions.
Highlighting the scope of the project, Dr. Eze Nwokoma of SFH noted that the organization—active in Nigeria for over 40 years—remains dedicated to tackling public health challenges through integrated solutions. He emphasized the link between unsafe water and preventable diseases such as cholera and diarrhea, stressing that WASH services are key to reducing under-five mortality.
Dr. Nwokoma disclosed that Ebonyi was among nine states selected for SFH’s 2024 WASH emergency response, which includes community sensitization, training of LGA WASH coordinators on emergency preparedness, and the distribution of chlorine-based water treatment products.
As part of the launch, the SFH team handed over 500 packs of P&G Water Purifier to Hon. Nkah for onward distribution to the identified local governments.
In his remarks, the Commissioner described water as the most critical need in disease prevention. “We rush to provide drugs, but the real thing to rush to provide is water, because most of these diseases are water-related,” he said.
Hon. Nkah also highlighted Governor Francis Ogbonna Nwifuru’s ongoing investments in the sector, including the revival and expansion of Ezillo, Oferekpe, and Abakaliki water schemes. While acknowledging challenges such as inadequate water testing laboratories and incomplete reticulation, he stressed the need for more partnerships to consolidate progress.
He assured SFH of sustained collaboration, describing the intervention as timely and impactful. “Your coming to Ebonyi State is a very good one, and I want us to sustain this relationship,” he added.
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