Abiodun assures restoration of water supply to residents

The Ogun State Governor, Prince Dapo Abiodun, has assured residents of the state that his administration’s would resolve to the problem of acute shortage of water to homes very soon.

He gave the assurance on Monday during his inspection to Abeokuta main water scheme at Arakanga in Abeokuta North Local Government Area.

Tribune Online recalled that water was last supplied to homes within Abeokuta metropolis last July.

Abiodun said he had inspected two water schemes to assess the current situation as it concerns the State Water Corporation.

The Governor who expressed worry about the inability of the corporation to meet the water need of the people, particularly in the State capital, Abeokuta, noted that there had been series of meetings with officials of the agency on how best to overcome the challenges.

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“We are here for an on-the-spot assessment of the situation as it concerns the State Water Corporation. The need for that is that there is no water supply anywhere in Ogun State, particularly Abeokuta. There had been a series of meetings on how to resolve the problem so that people can get water, not just in Abeokuta, but other parts of the State,” he noted.

He attributed the current problems of the Corporation to lack of attention by previous administrations in the State.

“What we have seen here today is that there were no deliberate efforts by the previous administrations to invest appropriately to ensure regular water supply.

“The people working here have only resorted to self- help. The equipment is obsolete, no maintenance policy that is consistent with the 21st-century water distribution. As we speak, there is no electricity supply at the station. There is no water that can be treated,” he noted.

He said the government has liaised with the Ogun-Osun River Basin Authority (OORBDA) to release water to the scheme, as well as, Ibadan Electric Distribution Company (IBEDC) to supply power, adding that with the steps taken, water would be supplied to the people in the next few days.

“We have liaised with Ogun-Osun River Basin Authority to release water to the scheme. We have also spoken to the IBEDC to supply power to the scheme. Now that water supply has been restored to the old scheme, once water gets to the acceptable level, they will be able to produce water from the old scheme,” he assured.

The Governor said the government would take a closer look at the operations of the State Water Corporation and pay more attention to how it is run with a view to ensuring an adequate supply of potable water to the people.

Governor Abiodun who named Ipokia, Ikenne, Ago-Iwoye, Odogbolu and Ijebu-Ode as some of the areas with water problems, said the government was looking at quick-fix approach in rehabilitating the borehole pumps in the areas in order for residents to have access to clean water.

The General Manager of the Corporation, Mr Oluseye Maku, while conducting the Governor round the two water schemes, attributed the current water supply situation in the State, particularly Abeokuta, to lack of power supply, faulty and obsolete equipment, adding that some machines still in use by the Corporation were acquired more than sixteen years ago.