Kwara State Government has restated its commitment to ensuring steady access to potable water for residents across the state.
The Commissioner for Water Resources, Hon. Usman Yunusa Lade, made this known on Wednesday during the third quarter (Q3) Inter-Ministerial Press Briefing organised by the Ministry of Communications, held at the Ministry of Finance Conference Room in Ilorin.
Presenting the Ministry’s performance report, Hon. Lade announced the completion of the Lafiagi and Zambufu Waterworks, as well as the successful installation and commissioning of three power phases at the Otte/Budo-Egba Waterworks.
He added that rehabilitation of the Omu-Aran and Oyun Waterworks is progressing rapidly and will soon be completed to restore water supply to the communities.
The Commissioner also revealed that Oke-Ero Local Government Area has been certified Open Defecation Free (ODF) by the National Council on Sanitation and Task Group (NSTG), Abuja, an achievement that earned the state commendation from the Federal Ministry of Water Resources and Sanitation.
As part of ongoing efforts to end open defecation across the state, Hon. Lade disclosed that the AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq administration has constructed modern public toilets in Balogun Alanamu, Eruda, and Ajikobi communities in Ilorin, adding that similar projects are being extended to other local government areas.
He noted that Kwara State is currently hosting General Managers and representatives from Rural Water Supply and Sanitation Agencies (RUWASSA) in North Central states for a strategic meeting aimed at eliminating open defecation in the region.
Hon. Lade further announced that the state has paid a counterpart fund of N700 million for the Sustainable Power and Irrigation for Nigeria (SPIN) project and has completed a needs assessment for the proposed project sites.
He added that powered and hand-pump boreholes are being drilled across the three senatorial districts, while pipe repairs and network extensions have been carried out within Ilorin metropolis.
He also reported that RUWASSA has drilled a solar-powered borehole at the Ministry of Livestock and completed the first phase of renovation at the Kwara State Water Corporation headquarters on Zulu Gambari Road, GRA, Ilorin. He hinted that the government is exploring alternative power sources to improve the efficiency of waterworks operation and ensure uninterrupted water supply to residents.
Credit: Adamu M. Saidu
