..tasks them on promotion of positive sanitation and hygiene practices
Ekiti State Commissioner for Infrastructure and Public Utilities, Prof.
Mobolaji Aluko has solicited the support of Media practitioners and Civil Society Organizations (CSOs)for the Sustainable Urban Rural Water Supply Sanitation And Hygiene (SURWASH) programme and ongoing efforts by the present administration in the State to provide pipe-borne water to urban and rural areas of the state
The Commissioner who made the call in Ado-Ekiti during a one- day Sensitization Workshop for media practitioners and CSOs organised by the Ministry of Infrastructure and Public Utilities in collaboration with the SURWASH , said that the government is keen to ensure that all citizens of the State have access to clean and safe water.
Prof Aluko reiterated the importance of water to humanity stressing that the SURWASH Programme was just one of multiple platforms being explored by the State Government to provide potable water to the people of the State.
According to him, ” Water is essential to life ; it’s useful for domestic, economic and industrial purposes, hence Government is duty bound to make water available for the masses ”
He stressed that though all the major dams in the State including Ero, Ureje, Itapaji and Egbe dams were presently functional, the issue of poor electricity supply to power the dams and the numerous pumping / booster stations were major challenges as “constant electricity is needed to pump water from the dams to various towns and communities”
Aluko added that Ekiti State Government is working hard to combat electricity challenges, describing the Independent Power Project that has come on stream in the State Capital and the recent construction of dedicated feeder lines across the State as well as the ongoing reforms being initiated by the State Government on the electricity subsector as strategic moves to significantly improve power supply to the State
He said all these moves would soon have the desired multiplier effect on water supply in the State.
The Commissioner highlighted some achievements recorded under the SURWASH programme so far to include construction and rehabilitation of 64 Water Supply Sanitation and Hygiene (WASH) standard water and toilet facilities in 2023 as well as the recent rehabilitation of 121 boreholes, 111 WASH facilities in schools and health centers, while the rehabilitation of two major water schemes have also been approved.
Stressing the commitment of the Oyebanji Administration to the SURWASH programme which is a State Government P-for-R loan scheme in collaboration with the World Bank and the Federal Ministry of Water Resources and Sanitation, Aluko assured that no stone would be left unturned to ensure the success of the programme .
He stressed that his Ministry and SURWASH would continue to leverage on the Media and CSOs to further sensitize communities and all stakeholders on the importance of healthy behavioral change that will influence societal segments towards adopting positive sanitation and hygiene practices, as well as achieving and sustaining Open Defecation Free status.
In his goodwill message, the State Commissioner for Information, Rt. Hon. Taiwo Olatunbosun appreciated Governor Oyebanji for the successes achieved through the 6 pillars of his administration especially in the area of Infrastructure and industrial Development under which water and electricity fall .
Represented by the Senior Special Assistant to the Governor on Public Advocacy, Dr. Bakare Ayolo, Hon. Olatunbosun commended the commissioner for all the efforts put in place in achieving the objectives of the SURWASH program.
Earlier in his welcome address, the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Infrastructure and Public Utility, Engr. Olumide Ajayi restated the commitment of the State Government to the success of the Programme .
Engr. Ajayi urged the people of the state to inculcate behavioural change and a sense of responsibility concerning maintenance of water supply facilities and infrastructure.
The resource persons, Dr. Mary Adeyanju and Mr. Tope Babalola who spoke on roles of NGOs and the Media respectively assured the organisers of their organisations’ commitment to the success of the programme.
Participants from Civil Society Organisations (CSOs), Non Governmental Organisations (NGOs) and Media organizations in the State took part in the Programme.