Ekiti State Governor, Dr Kayode Fayemi has flagged off the rehabilitation of Ero dam and replacement of transmission main pipelines with an expectation that the project would address water shortage and curb open defecation.
Speaking at the flag off ceremony in Ikun Ekiti, Dr Fayemi expressed optimism that the $55 million project which is co-sponsored by the World Bank and the state government would give a sigh of relief to the nine local government areas supplied by the dam when uninterrupted potable water is made available to them.
The governor stated that Ekiti State has been investing in water and sanitation sector with efforts to rehabilitate some of the dams within the State in collaboration with the European Union and the World Bank.
He noted that with the intervention of the World Bank, the Ekiti State water corporation has been driving the water sector reform process with the investment in human and infrastructure to deliver a transformed and effective water service within the State.
While calling on governments at various levels to work in synergy towards meeting the water supply and sanitation demands of the nation, Governor Fayemi said the adverse effects of potable water shortage are noticeable in the high cost of water to low income group who source for alternative vendors.
He added that this leads to high hospital bills incurred in the treatment of water borne diseases.
“The Third National Urban Water Sector Reform Project which has three participating States is being funded by the World Bank in collaboration with each state respectively, and now is set to achieve among other things a sustainable urban water programme.
The reform has started yielding fruits in the State Water Corporation with heavy investment in human capital development, increased awareness on tariff, billing and collection. We hope that at the end of the project, Ekiti state will get value for money as tremendous and visible improvement must have been achieved in the WASH sector”, he said.
In her speech, the General Manager of the State Water Corporation, Engr Olabisi Agbeyo said the rehabilitation will return the dam to its initial design capacity of supplying 66 towns and villages as well as the State capital.
She added that the transmission pipelines which were severed some years ago along Ifaki- Ado road would be replaced to enable water supply from Ero to Iworoko and Ado Ekiti.
Also speaking, the Oore of Otun, Oba Adedapo Popoola commended Governor Fayemi for inaugurating the water project; stressing that many towns in Moba local government area have not enjoyed pipe borne water in the last three years.
Oba Adedapo who disclosed that he had to dig four boreholes in his palace to provide water for the palace and its environs assured that Ekiti people are ready to pay for water supply if provided.
“Your Excellency, this is the second time of your coming to this dam since your inauguration. It shows that you are really committed to the welfare of your people especially in providing social amenities. Let me say that we are ready to selflessly give anything that will make this project succeed. We are your people in Moba and whatever you want, we will do”, the monarch assures.
