The Oyo state House of Assembly has called on the state governor, Engr. Seyi Makinde to address the problem of portable water supply in the state by ensuring the completion of all abandoned water work projects across the state.
The House also called for the appearance of the state Commissioner for Water Resources, General Manager, Water Corporation of Oyo State, permanent secretaries and directors in the affected ministries.
The House made the call during the Yoruba session of the plenary on Wednesday while deliberating on a motion titled “Need to Complete Ongoing Water Work Projects in the State.”
The motion was presented by Hon Kazeem Isiaka, representing Oyo East/Oyo West state constituency.
Hon. Isiaka, while presenting the motion, appealed to the executive arm of government to, as a matter of urgency, complete the construction of Erelu Dam in Oyo. He said that the water supply scheme is about 60% to 70% completed.
Hon. Isiaka stated that the project which was awarded seven years ago is in the state of abandonment due to the failure of the past administration in the state to pay its own counterpart fund to complete the project.
The lawmaker disclosed that the project is jointly financed by the World Bank, Federal and the state governments. He, however, said that both the federal government and the World Bank have fulfilled their own parts of the tripartite agreement.
In their submissions, the Deputy Speaker, Hon Muhammed Fadeyi, the Minority Leader, Hon Asimiyu Alarape called for proper monitoring of the annual budget of the state’s Water Corporation, saying that activities of borehole and well drillers have increased the possibility of natural disasters such as earthquakes and tremor.
Hon. Julius Okedoyin, representing Saki East/Saki West, Hon. Akeem Mustapha, representing Kajola and Hon. Peter Okedoyin, representing Ibarapa Central/North decried the poor state of facilities already provided at the waterworks across the state.
They appealed to Governor Makinde to again extend his midas touch to the project for speedy completion.
While passing the resolutions of the House, the Speaker, Hon Adebo Ogundoyin said that the appeal became imperative because thousands of the state residents lack access to portable water and this may increase their vulnerability to water borne diseases.
He said that the need for clean water cannot be overemphasized, noting that it is the duty of the government to see to the water needs of the people.
The Speaker, therefore, called on the State commissioner for water resources, Permanent Secretary and other stakeholders to appear before the House to brief the lawmakers on the state of projects across the state.
Package by Kunle Gazali
