The Enugu State Government, in partnership with the Federal Ministry of Water Resources and Sanitation, on Wednesday officially flagged off the Partnership for Expanded Water Supply, Sanitation and Hygiene (PEWASH) programme in Isi-Uzo Local Government Area—signaling a major step toward improving rural access to safe water, sanitation and hygiene across the state.

The event drew federal representatives, state officials, traditional rulers, women leaders and community stakeholders, many of whom described the initiative as a long-awaited intervention for communities plagued by decades of water scarcity and recurrent cholera outbreaks.

Speaking on behalf of the Minister of Water Resources and Sanitation, Engr. Prof. Joseph Terlumun Utsev, Senior Water Engineer, Engr. Sunday Agu, said the PEWASH programme was conceived as a collaborative national platform bringing together federal and state governments, development partners, the private sector and local communities. He emphasized that the sustainability of the project depends on active community ownership and the maintenance of provided facilities.

Representing Governor Peter Ndubuisi Mbah, the Commissioner for Labour and Productivity, Dr. Felix Nnamani, commended President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for expanding access to critical amenities through the PEWASH initiative. He announced that Enugu State had fulfilled its counterpart funding obligations and encouraged benefiting communities to safeguard the projects for long-term use.

Dr. Nnamani further disclosed that two local governments from each senatorial zone were selected for the intervention, urging other LGAs to work closely with the Enugu Rural Water Supply and Sanitation Agency (EN-RUWASSA) to achieve Sustainable Development Goal 6, which focuses on clean water and sanitation. He also applauded Igbo-Etiti LGA for recently attaining Open Defecation Free (ODF) status.

Permanent Secretary of the State 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 praised Governor Mbah’s “visionary leadership and sustained investment in rural development.”

Managing Director of EN-RUWASSA, Hon. Chika Mbah, explained that Isi-Uzo’s selection was driven by data showing persistent water scarcity and its recurring role as a cholera hotspot. She stressed that PEWASH is “a matching project, not a matching fund,” noting that the programme is uniquely community-driven and ensures local involvement in surveys, contractor engagement and federal evaluation.

“Whenever there is a cholera outbreak in Enugu, Isi-Uzo is always the hotspot, and we understand why—it is a water source issue,” she said.

She added that drilling in the selected communities would begin on Thursday, November 13, with EN-RUWASSA technical experts overseeing operations due to the area’s difficult soil structure.

Local government representatives—including Hon. Nnamchi of Isi-Uzo and Hon. Aka Eze Aka of Udenu—commended Governor Mbah’s commitment to rural development and pledged full local support for the programme’s implementation. Officials from the Ministry of Health also reinforced the link between unsafe water, poor sanitation and high diarrhoeal rates, urging residents to take full ownership of the WASH facilities.

For many residents, the flag-off marked the fulfillment of decades-long expectations. Women leaders, including Mrs. Nnaji Josephine and retired principal Mrs. Chinyere Eze, recounted years of depending on unsafe streams such as the Neke Ebony River, which dries up in the dry season and exposes families to waterborne diseases.

His Royal Highness, Igwe Pius Nnamani of Nkwo Ikem, conveyed the support of the traditional council, stressing the urgency of securing long-term water solutions for the communities.

Hon. Chika Mbah also acknowledged Engr. Obinna Ejike, Head of the Water Department, and his team for their extensive geographical surveys across the six benefiting LGAs—work she said was instrumental to the planning and rollout of PEWASH.

The ceremony ended with a vibrant cultural performance by women of Ikem Isitoro, symbolizing community unity and the collective resolve to safeguard the new water and sanitation facilities.

Observers say the PEWASH flag-off represents a strong multi-stakeholder commitment to addressing rural water challenges in Enugu through sustainable, community-driven solutions aimed at boosting public health and improving quality of life.