Stephen Ukandu, Umuahia
The Abia State Government has announced the postponement of all official engagements earlier scheduled for Tuesday, July 15, 2025, in honour of the late former President Muhammadu Buhari.
According to a statement issued by the Special Adviser to the Governor on Media and Publicity, Mr. Ferdinand Ekeoma, the decision was made in recognition of the public holiday declared by the Federal Government and the planned burial of the former President in his hometown, Daura, Katsina State.
Among the postponed events are the official launch of the Abia State Integrated WASH Accelerator Programme (AIWAP) and the flag-off of the rehabilitation of the Aba Regional Water Scheme.
“The postponed events will now hold on Wednesday, July 16, 2025,” the statement read.
“The postponement is as a result of the Public Holiday declared by the Federal Government in honour of the late former President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, Alhaji Muhammadu Buhari, GCFR, who is scheduled to be buried tomorrow. Government regrets all inconveniences caused by the rescheduling.”
Earlier on Monday, the Commissioner for Information, Prince Okey Kanu, had briefed newsmen on the outcome of the State Executive Council meeting, noting that the flag-off of the Aba Regional Water Scheme at CKC, Aba, was part of Governor Alex Otti’s campaign promise to restore potable water to homes and communities across the state.
He explained that the project, which had been abandoned due to failed infrastructure and poor maintenance, required urgent rehabilitation to restore its functionality and sustainability.
“In line with the Governor’s mandate to provide potable water supply to Aba, the State Government awarded the contract to Vena Cava Limited to revamp the water scheme under the first phase of the project,” he said.
On the Integrated WASH Accelerator Programme (IWAP), the Commissioner said the initiative, located at the newly constructed WASH facility at Okigwe Park, Umuahia, is designed to bring water, sanitation, and hygiene back on track in the state.
“The IWAP project is aimed at providing safe, readily available, and sustainable water sanitation services in the state that support both current and future development needs,” Kanu stated.
He added that the project aligns with Governor Otti’s commitment to achieving the United Nations Sustainable Development Goal No. 6, which includes the eradication of open defecation in Abia State.
“The programme will involve the construction, operation, and maintenance of modern water facilities powered by solar energy,” he noted.
Kanu also disclosed that the Governor would inaugurate a 150kV solar power system with 430kW battery storage capacity at the Abia Specialist Hospital, Umuahia.
The project, he said, is aimed at reducing the hospital’s dependence on grid electricity, lowering diesel consumption, and promoting environmental sustainability.
