BY ISHARO ODAFE
THE General Manager of the Delta State Small Towns Water Supply and Sanitation Agency (STOWASSA), Engr. Unuafe Anthony, has announced that the World Bank, in collaboration with the Delta State Government, has reaffirmed its commitment to strengthening their partnership to improve water supply in both urban and rural communities across the state.
Engr. Unuafe made this known recently while receiving a delegation from the World Bank, under the Sustainable Urban and Rural Water Supply, Sanitation, and Hygiene (SURWASH) programme.
The delegation was led by Dr. Victor Osei, Governance and Institution Consultant at the World Bank, and Dr. Melody Ogwezzy, SURWASH Programme Coordinator in Delta State.
The meeting, held in Asaba, was part of a high-level engagement aligned with the Mid-Term Review to assess the progress and achievements of the SURWASH projects in the state.
According to Unuafe, the purpose of the Mid-Term Review was to evaluate the progress of SURWASH projects in Delta State, focusing on identifying challenges, proposing improvements, and formulating strategies to ensure the project’s objectives of expanding access to potable water are achieved.
He further stated that the agency has been tasked with sharing insights gained from the Mid-Term Review, highlighting the challenges encountered, key accomplishments, and the responsibilities of various stakeholders.
“The discussions emphasized the need for adjustments and restructuring within the program, as stressed by both the World Bank team and the implementing agency, STOWASSA,” Unuafe said.
In his remarks, the World Bank team leader, Dr. Victor Osei, commended the state government for demonstrating the political will to implement the SURWASH projects in Delta State.
He assured that the World Bank would continue to support Delta and other pilot states to ensure efficient and adequate water supply.
The General Manager of STOWASSA, the World Bank team, SURWASH Coordinator for Delta State, Dr. Melody Ogwezzy, and staff of STOWASSA during the World Bank Mid-Term Review meeting in Asaba.
