The Ekiti State Commissioner for Infrastructure and Public Utilities ,Prof Mobolaji Aluko has urged contractors handling water projects across the state to strictly adhere to project specifications, quality standards and agreed timelines.
The Commissioner made the call during a strategic meeting with 109 contractors engaged under the Sustainable Urban and Rural Water Supply, Sanitation and Hygiene (SURWASH) programme.
While commending those who had made significant progress at their various sites, he expressed concern over delays recorded in some locations and called on affected contractors to intensify efforts.
He said strict compliance with project specifications and quality standards was essential to ensure durable and sustainable infrastructure.
The commissioner described the SURWASH initiative as central to improving access to potable water, sanitation and hygiene services in schools, health centres and communities across all local government areas of the state.
The meeting, convened to review progress and chart a path towards timely completion, brought together contractors, project engineers and representatives of implementing agencies.
Discussions focused on assessing work done at different project sites, identifying operational challenges and setting practical timelines for the delivery and handover of facilities to beneficiary communities.
The Permanent Secretary of the ministry, Toyin Ojelabi-Pedro, said all projects must be completed to deliver sustainable water and sanitation infrastructure capable of improving living standards.
She called for greater collaboration to ensure timely delivery and quality assurance.
The General Manager, Ayo Alegbeye, said 60% of payments had been made to contractors and urged them to return to their sites to facilitate verification for the next 35%.
He assured them that the balance would be paid by the state government upon successful completion of the projects.
During an interactive session, several contractors welcomed the engagement, outlining progress made, completed milestones and ongoing works, while highlighting challenges including logistics constraints and rising material costs.