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Ekiti govt solicits support of media, CSOs for SURWASH programme

The Ekiti State Commissioner for Infrastructure and Public Utilities, Professor Mobolaji Aluko, has solicited the support of media practitioners and Civil Society Organisations (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 Sensitisation Workshop for media professionals and CSOs organised by the Ministry of Infrastructure and Public Utilities in collaboration with the SURWASH, said that the government is determined to ensure that all citizens of the state have access to clean and safe water.

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, the 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 and booster stations were major challenges, as “constant electricity is needed to pump water from the dams to various towns and communities.”

He added that the 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.

The commissioner highlighted some achievements recorded under the SURWASH programme so far to include the “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 and 111 WASH facilities in schools and health centres, while the rehabilitation of two major water schemes has also been approved.”

Stressing the commitment of the Oyebanji-led 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 the people that no stone would be left unturned to ensure the success of the programme.

In his goodwill message, the State Commissioner for Information, Taiwo Olatunbosun, appreciated Governor Oyebanji for the successes achieved through the six pillars of his administration, especially in the area of infrastructure and industrial development, including the provision of water and electricity.

Represented by the Senior Special Assistant to the Governor on Public Advocacy, Dr Bakare Ayolo, Olatunbosun commended the commissioner for all the efforts put in place to achieve 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.

Ajayi urged the people of the state to inculcate behavioural change and a sense of responsibility concerning the maintenance of water supply facilities and infrastructure.

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