BY LAW IBITOYE
Stakeholders and media organizations have been called upon to sensitize residents of Ekiti state on the importance of provision of hygienic water and several programmes of Sustainable Uban and Rural Water Supply, Sanitation and Hygiene (SURWASH).
The commissioner for infrastructure and Public Utility, Prof Mobolaji Aluko gave the charge at a one Day CSO and Media Sensitization Workshop organized by the Ministry of Infrastructure and Public Utility on Thursday.
Prof ALUKO reiterated the importance of water to humanity. He opined that the Ekiti State Government has been doing everything humanly possible to provide all communities in the state with portable water. According to Prof Mobolaji Aluko,” Water is essential to life ; it’s useful for domestic, economic and industrial purposes, hence Government is duty bound to make water available for the masses ”
He stressed further that efforts are on to provide all communities in the state portable water via : Ero, Ureje, Itapaji and Egbe dams among others. He however said the seamless exercise was hindered by electricity challenges.” Ado Ekiti and environs would definitely have water through SURWASH, we need constant electricity to pump water from the dam to Various towns and communities” He added that Ekiti State Government is working hard to combat electricity challenges, citing the IPPIS put in place in government house and environs.
The commissioner for information, Right Hon. TAIWO Olatunbosun in his good will message appreciated Governor Oyebanji for his people’s oriented programmes and policies, charged residents to support the governor and prayed for his team.
The commissioner was represented by the Senior Special Assistant to the Governor on Public Advocacy, Dr Bakare Abiodun, said Ekiti State is in safe hands, and urged residents to protect government properties in their areas.
Speaking on the overview of SURWASH, the Monitoring and Evaluation Officer of the Ministry, Mr OLATUNJI OLORUNFEMI gave the objectives of the Programme to include: increase access to water sanitation and Hygiene services . Adding that it would strengthen sector institutions in participating states of Nigeria.
While reiterating that the result Areas of SURWASH encompasses National Wash Fund established, operational, Design and implementation of a (PIR) Plan and achievement of required reforms. He added that the ministry had successfully sunk 163 boreholes in the state.
Also, the Director of Information Services, Mr Tope Babalola charged participants to use their media organizations to create contents and project the activities of the ministry to the masses. He said Ekiti State Government has provided public Secondary Schools in Ekiti state with 213 toilets and water, adding that same are in progress in public primary schools while calling on residents to take proper care of government facilities in their communities.
Speaking on the roles of NGO in the implementation and sustainability of Ekiti State SURWASH, Dr Adeyanju Mary enjoined the NGO to do more for the masses, saying the Government cannot singlehandedly provide the needs of the Masses.