The Kwara State Government has again reiterated its commitment to ensuring that potable water supply is available to all citizens in all the nooks and crannies of the State.
The State Commissioner for Water Resources, Hon. Usman Yunusa Lade, stated this today at the State inter- ministerial press briefing, held at the conference room of the Ministry of Finance in Ilorin, the State capital.
Lade said the State government has recently renovated and rehabilitated the main building of the State Rural Water Supply and Sanitation Agency (RUWASSA), Ilorin which is the first of its kind in the last 20 years.
The Commissioner disclosed that to ensure the success of the Partnership for Expansion of Water Supply, Sanitation and Hygiene (P-WASH) Programme in the State to end open defecation, the government paid the sum of N300 million Naira as counterpart funds to kick start the project, which has enabled the State to rank higher on the clean and hygienic environment ratings than some other states in the country.
He said that the State government has also designed a 30 – years master plan in collaboration with the African Development Bank for the State’s water usage.
Hon. Lade further disclosed that the State government is working towards the establishment of an irrigation farming system in collaboration with the World Bank to increase and boost all year round farming, adding that the Omu-Aran, Duku Lade and Malete Dams needs-assessment have been carried out in tandem with the World Bank requirements.
Hon. Lade also informed the gathering that the reconstruction and rehabilitation of the desilted Sobi Dam, recently affected by flood as well as the rehabilitation of Lafiagi and Zambufu Waterworks projects have been awarded.
The State government has equally completed the Ira water works in Oyun LGA and have connected a 200KVA Transformer to the national grid for the community, he said.
The Commissioner hinted that the administration of Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq, has also completed Oke-Onigbin, Isin LGA and Jeromo Oshin waterworks in Ilorin West LGA, respectively.
He disclosed that many hand pumps and solar power boreholes have been drilled at various senatorial districts across the State.
The Commissioner explained further that some rust pipes have been replaced and relocated in some parts of Ilorin Metropolis, adding that the State Government has equally procured motorcycles for RUWASSA and the State Water Corporation for efficient monitoring and effective service delivery.
