– Reaffirms commitment to potable water supply
From Taiye Joseph, Ilorin
The Kwara State Government, has reiterated its dedication to ensuring the availability of potable water across the state, as part of its broader efforts to enhance public health and sanitation.
Speaking during an inter-ministerial press briefing at the Ministry of Finance conference room in Ilorin, the State Commissioner for Water Resources, Hon. Usman Lade, highlighted the government’s recent initiatives, including the payment of N300 million as counterpart funds to support the Partnership for Expansion of Water Supply, Sanitation, and Hygiene (P-WASH) programme.
This, according to him, has positioned Kwara State ahead of several others in clean environment ratings.
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“We have recently renovated and rehabilitated the main building of the State Rural Water Supply and Sanitation Agency (RUWASSA) in Ilorin, a feat that has not been undertaken in over 20 years,” Hon. Lade stated, emphasizing the government’s commitment to water infrastructure.
The Commissioner also disclosed that a 30-year master plan for water usage has been developed in collaboration with the African Development Bank, further underscoring the administration’s forward-looking approach to water management.
Additionally, Hon. Lade, revealed the state’s partnership with the World Bank to introduce an irrigation farming system, which is expected to boost year-round farming.
He mentioned that needs assessments for the Omu-Aran, Duku Lade, and Malete dams have already been conducted in line with World Bank standards.
On infrastructure, Hon. Lade, announced the commencement of rehabilitation work on the flood-affected Sobi Dam, alongside ongoing projects at the Lafiagi and Zambufu waterworks. He also highlighted the completion of the Ira waterworks in Oyun Local Government Area, where a 200KVA transformer has been connected to the national grid to serve the community.
The administration of Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq, according to Lade, has also completed water projects in Oke-Onigbin, Isin LGA, and Jeromo Oshin in Ilorin West LGA. Multiple solar-powered boreholes and hand pumps have been installed across the state, while rusted pipes in parts of Ilorin have been replaced.
To ensure effective monitoring and service delivery, motorcycles have been procured for RUWASSA and the State Water Corporation, the Commissioner concluded.
