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SURWASH TECHNICAL SUPPORT MISSION TO IMO STATE 29TH – 30TH AUGUST, 2023

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SURWASH TECHNICAL SUPPORT MISSION TO IMO STATE 29TH – 30TH AUGUST, 2023

August 30, 2023 iswsc Comments Off

In an effort to strengthen and support the participating states of the NG-SURWASH Program, the World Bank and Federal Project Implementation Unit teams visited Imo State on 29th – 30th August 2023 for a 2Day Technical Support Mission to the state. This is in continuation of the Technical Support towards actualizing the Implementation of the Performance Improvement Action Plan (PIAP) activities.

The WorldBank team includes Awa Diagne the (Task Team lead), Judith Warmate (Task Team Lead), Anne Cestari ( Practice Manager West Africa). The Federal Project Implementation Unit (FPIU) Team includes Engr. Maina Rabiu Madaki (RST Water Supply Sector Planning), Uche Iwuala, Social Safeguard Officer (SSO); and Engr. Oyetunde Oyedokun, Procurement Officer (PO);

The Teams were warmly received by the *Honourable Commissioner Ministry of Water Resources (MWR) Dame Anne Dozie* at her office at the Imo State Secretariat Complex in the company of the SA/TA on WASH Mrs. Theodora Igboaruka, the Permanently Secretary of the ministry Mrs. Nwaugo Nnenna, the NG-SURWASH State Project Implementation Unit Acting State Project Coordinator Engr. Justin Udegbe, and the NG-SURWASH Communication Officer of the State Project Implementation Unit Paschal Opara.

The aim of the visit is to Assess the Implementation Process/Status of the SURWASH Program in the state, the challenges faced by the state and Implementing Agencies in the implementation process, Interact with Implementing Agencies on supportive measures to aid implementation, and how best to help the state achieve results.

The Honorable Commissioner who welcomed the guests assured them of the support and efforts of *His Excellency Distinguish Senator Hope Uzodimma* to ensure that the SURWASH Program is enormously implemented in Imo state, and aim of the SURWASH Program is fully achieved in Imo State.

The SA/TA on WASH Mrs. Theodora Igboaruka who joined the Honourable Commissioner in welcoming the guests, also buttressed on the achievements and challenges of the state in the SURWASH Program. She stated that:

“On Policy reforms, the state targets to review the existing 2019, WASH policy to define O&M strategies and management models for WASH infrastructures in urban, small Towns and rural communities. On Board of Director’s/PBC, The state intends to review the state water law, to amend the number/membership status of the BODs, whilst appointing the Board to oversee PBC signing and performance appraisal of the IAs for accountability, check and balances. About Regulator, through the amendment of the State Water Law 2019, the state wishes to change the status of the regulator from being a commission to becoming an agency to cushion the funding implications of having a commission. And on Tariff, the state foresees indulging its commercial and institutional customers (hotels and Universities) reticulating water to those areas and developing a billing policy that will improve on effective and co-efficient revenue generation, and also addressing the issues of non revenue water and non accounted water to reduce cost of operation”

The WorldBank Team were pleased with the achievements of the state and also streamlined strategic means of handling some of the challenges.

The Technical Support Mission Team also met with Implementing Agencies which included The Imo State Water and Sewerage Corporation ably Managed by the MD/CEO Engr. Emeka Celestine Ugoanyanwu, the Rural Water Supply and Sanitation Agency (RUWASSA) managed by the General Manager Chika Edom, and the Representative of the General Manager of Imo State Small Town Water Agency (ISSTOWA) Chibizor Ezigbo and Site visitation was carried out to some selected sites for Implementation of the SURWASH Program in the state.

On the Implementation Progress, the ISWSC and RUWASSA made presentations on Program Implementation showing PforR status, and the PIAP activities Implementation status for water and sanitation.

The TTL Awa Diagne, TTL Judith Warmate, and PM Anne Cestari complemented the Implementing Agencies for the progressive and successful implementation process so far and urged the staff of the three IAs to continue putting in their best to achieve the objectives of the SURWASH Program. They also spoke on the challenges faced by the IAs and suggested strategic measures to curb these challenges. They also addressed critical issues on the PEF, PforR, risks, General implementation status, and Systems & Sustainability mechanisms.

The Ag: SPC Engr. Udegbe Chizoba Justin thanked His Excellency Distinguish Senator Hope Uzodimma who is immensely putting in great efforts to ensure that Imo State benefits from the SURWASH Program, and also thanked the Technical Support Mission Team for the interest to support the state at achieving results in the NG-SURWASH Program.

Paschal Opara
SPIU Communication Officer

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