By Chinwe Ekwueme
Thank you for reading this post, don't forget to subscribe!The Enugu State Government, in collaboration with the Federal Ministry of Water Resources and Sanitation, has flagged off the Partnership for Expanded Water Supply, Sanitation and Hygiene (PEWASH) programme in Isi-Uzo Local Government Area, marking a major push to expand access to safe water and sanitation in rural communities.
The event, held on Wednesday, drew federal officials, state representatives, traditional rulers, women leaders and community stakeholders, who described the initiative as a lifeline for communities long burdened by chronic water scarcity and recurring cholera outbreaks.
Speaking on behalf of the Honourable Minister of Water Resources and Sanitation, Engr. Prof. Joseph Terlumun Utsev, Senior Water Engineer, Engr. Sunday Agu said the PEWASH programme was designed as a collaborative national platform involving federal and state governments, development partners, the private sector and the benefiting communities.
“For the full benefits of PEWASH to be realized, all partners must demonstrate equal commitment in line with established protocols,” he said, warning that sustainability would depend largely on community ownership and maintenance of the facilities.
Representing Governor Peter Ndubuisi Mbah, the Commissioner for Labour and Productivity, Dr. Felix Nnamani, praised President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for expanding access to essential amenities through PEWASH.
He disclosed that Enugu State had fully met its counterpart funding obligations and encouraged benefiting communities to “take full ownership of these projects to ensure they endure.”
Dr. Nnamani explained that two LGAs were selected from each senatorial zone for the intervention and urged others to collaborate with EN-RUWASSA to achieve Sustainable Development Goal 6 on clean water and sanitation.
He applauded Igbo-Etiti LGA, which recently attained Open Defecation Free (ODF) status, saying the administration would continue leveraging federal opportunities to enhance the well-being of the people.
The Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Water Resources, Mrs. Ada Nwonye, who represented the Commissioner, described the flag-off as “a critical step in expanding access to safe water, promoting sanitation, and enhancing hygiene across the state.” She commended Governor Mbah for his “consistent support, visionary leadership, and sustained investment in projects that improve citizen welfare and drive rural development.”
The Managing Director of EN-RUWASSA, Hon. Chika Mbah, explained that the choice of Isi-Uzo was driven by data showing persistent water scarcity and its history as a hotspot during cholera outbreaks.
“Whenever there is a cholera outbreak in Enugu State, Isi-Uzo is always the hotspot, and we understand why; it is a water source issue,” she said.
She emphasized that the project was need-driven, noting that extensive geographical surveys were carried out across communities to determine where viable water sources exist. EN-RUWASSA, she said, ensures communities are involved at every stage, including surveys, contractor engagement and federal evaluation, before receiving support.
“PEWASH is a matching project, not a matching fund.
“Our approach allows communities to manage the facilities themselves without frequent government intervention. Because it is need-driven, the people are very receptive”, she stated.
Drilling in the selected communities, she added, would commence on Thursday, November 13, with EN-RUWASSA technical experts managing operations due to the challenging soil structure.
“Water is difficult to access underground, so our professionals will oversee all technical aspects to ensure the project’s success,” she noted.
Local government representatives, including Hon. Nnamchi for Isi-Uzo and Hon. Aka Eze Aka of Udenu, lauded Governor Mbah’s commitment to rural development and pledged local support to ensure successful implementation.
Officials from the Ministry of Health also linked unsafe water and poor sanitation to high diarrhoeal cases and urged the people to take ownership of the WASH facilities.
For residents, the flag-off was the culmination of decades-long expectations. Women leaders, including Mrs. Nnaji Josephine and retired school principal Mrs. Chinyere Eze, shared emotional accounts of the community’s struggles.
They recalled relying on unsafe streams such as the Neke Ebony River, which dries up during the dry season, exposing families to waterborne diseases.
His Royal Highness, Igwe Pius Nnamani of Nkwo Ikem, conveyed the goodwill of the traditional council and stressed the urgency of securing lasting water solutions for the area.
Hon. Chika Mbah also commended Engr. Obinna Ejike, Head of the Water Department, and his team for conducting extensive geographical surveys across the six benefiting LGAs, a process she said was instrumental to the successful planning and rollout of the PEWASH programme.
The ceremony ended with a vibrant cultural performance by women of Ikem Isitoro, symbolizing community unity and the collective resolve to sustain the water and sanitation facilities.
The PEWASH flag-off, observers noted, reflects a multi-stakeholder commitment to addressing Enugu’s rural water challenges through sustainable, community-driven solutions aimed at improving public health and quality of life.