Ekiti State Commissioner for Infrastructure and Public Utilities, Prof. Bolaji Aluko has assured that the State Government would continue to work assiduously towards achieving improved access to safe water, sanitation and hygiene services in the State .
Prof Aluko gave the assurance in Ado-Ekiti during a sensitization walk organized as part of activities marking this year’s World Water Day Celebration.
The Commissioner who noted that this year’s Water day is aimed to sensitize people on the importance of water in the society and how to manage it for the better use for the people stressed that the theme for this year’s World Water Day : “Glacier Preservation,” was apt considering the critical role of glaciers in sustaining life and the water cycle, and the urgent need to protect them from rapid melting in view of the effects of Climate Change and Global Warming
While stressing the commitment of the Oyebanji Administration to making water available across all the towns and villages in the State, Aluko noted that the Government was working towards finding a lasting solution to the problem of inadequate power supply to major water dams and pumping Stations across the state.
According to him , connection of these crucial water infrastructure to independent power supply was being considered as part of steps to guarantee 24 hours uninterrupted water supply to all parts of the State.
He said as part of steps to improve water and sanitation hygiene this year ,the Government has approved the construction of several piped water schemes in small towns and rural communities across the state, construction of WASH facilities in health Centres and Public schools
across the Local Government Areas of the State .
The Commissioner stressed that
the state government was fully committed to implementation of the Water Sector Reform which focuses on: Improving water supply and sanitation infrastructure;
Strengthening institutional capacity and Promoting financial viability:
He urged citizens to be more careful about the water they are using in their environment and ensuring that the source is hygienic to avoid water related diseases.
Aluko also emphasized the need for water management for healthier life and greener planet, stating that water is precious to both living and non living things.
Earlier, The State Program Implementation Unit (SPIU) under the Sustainable Urban and Rural Water Supply Sanitation & Hygiene Program (SURWASH) in collaboration with the Ministry of Infrastructure and public utility had embarked on a road walk from Fajuyi pavilion through Okesa Market to Ojumose in Ado-Ekiti to celebrate this year’s world water day.
Present at the event were: staff of the Ministry of the Ministry of Infrastructure and Public Utilities, Ekiti State Small Town, Rural Water Supply and Sanitation Agency (EK- STRUWASSA), Ekiti Water Supply and Regulatory Agency ( WASRA), Ekiti Water and sewerage Company, Civil Society Organization (CSO) and others relevant stakeholders.