By Obinwa Chikaodili
The Anambra State Urban Water Assets Holding Corporation (ASUWAHC) has commenced strategic preparations for the planned withdrawal of contractors currently managing water supply schemes across the state, with the transition expected to be concluded by December 2026.
The initiative was the focus of a technical meeting on the operation and management of water supply schemes held in Awka on June 18 and convened by the Officer-in-Charge of ASUWAHC, Mrs. Emmanuella Okafor.
Addressing participants, Mrs. Okafor stressed the importance of putting in place a sustainable operational framework that would guarantee uninterrupted water supply services following the contractors’ exit.
She noted that the Anambra State Government has invested more than N8 billion in the water sector and emphasized the need to protect the infrastructure through effective management systems capable of ensuring long-term sustainability.
According to her, the corporation has identified several key strategies to facilitate a seamless transition, including strengthening revenue generation mechanisms, conducting customer enumeration exercises, enhancing staff training and capacity building, and maintaining continuous oversight of contractors’ activities until the handover is completed.
Mrs. Okafor further disclosed that customer enumeration had already commenced in some areas, including Nnewi, with the objective of building a comprehensive customer database and assessing residents’ willingness to pay for water services.
Also speaking, the Technical Officer in the Commercial Department, Mr. Achike Chukwuemeka, underscored the importance of prompt payment of water bills by consumers. He warned that customers who default on their payment obligations would be issued demand notices by the corporation.
Also contributing, the Head of Special Projects, Mr. Aloysius Anazoba, advocated the adoption of digital water meters, describing them as an effective tool for promoting transparency, accountability, and accurate billing. He explained that digital metering would improve revenue collection and eliminate disputes associated with estimated consumption.
Similarly, the Head of Onitsha Zone and Head of the Engineering and Design Department of ASUWAHC, Engr. Francis Udoh, described digital water meters as the most reliable means of accurately measuring water consumption and determining appropriate charges.
The corporation also announced plans to carry out detailed asset inventories and bankability studies on major water schemes to determine their commercial viability and identify partnership opportunities capable of attracting future investments into the sector.
A major highlight of the meeting was the emphasis on strengthening revenue collection as a critical requirement for sustaining water infrastructure and service delivery. Heads of zones were consequently directed to intensify water rate collection efforts and maintain accurate records of customers served and payments received.
Obinwa Chikaodili is of the Ministry of Information and Value Reformation, Anambra State
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