Ekiti State Small Town, Rural Water Supply and Sanitation Agency (EKST-RUWASSA) has held a community stakeholders’ engagement meeting to address issues relating to the Odo Oja Water Scheme sourced from an artesian well in Ikere.
Addressing stakeholders at the meeting held at the Olukere’s Palace in Odo Oja Community, Ikere Ekiti , the General Manager of the State Small Town, Rural Water Supply and Sanitation Agency, Mr. Ayo Alegbeleye said the forum was designed to acquaint residents with the contractors handling the water project and solicit the support of members of the community for the project.
The General Manager said that the historical artesian well with a capacity of producing 1.57 million liters of portable water per day was discovered after a fracture at a depth of 25 meters drilled in 2021, which would serve approximately 28,000 residents, noting that beneficiary residents would be metered for water consumption, and the contract duration is expected to last 10 months.
Alegbeleye noted that land acquisition issues would also be addressed with compensation limited to existing structures and not the land itself .
He sought the cooperation of the traditional institution , chiefs, and the community during project implementation.
The Contractor , Engr. Femi Oshobu expressed gratitude to the Governor Biodun Oyebanji’s administration for efforts to improve residents’ lives and promised to minimize disruptions during construction.
Also speaking , the Director of Sanitation of the Agency , Mrs. Lanre Ayeni emphasized the link between water and sanitation, urging the community to prioritize “one house, one toilet” to prevent water-related diseases.
In his remarks , the Ikere Local Government Vice Chairman , Chief Ijasan admonished the contractor towards adherence to environmental and social safeguard issues.
The Stakeholders’ Representative, Mr. Omoyeni Olarenwaju requested for pipeline extensions to areas that are not very close to the water source
Also speaking the Olukere of Odo Oja, Ikere , Oba Ganiyu Obasoyin, thanked the state government for their responsiveness and assured the contractor and team of a friendly environment and safety. He urged the Vice Chairman to pressurize the Local Government Council to work towards achieving Open Defecation Free status.