By Ernest Nwokolo, Abeokuta
Residents of Ogun State, particularly Abeokuta, the state capital, will begin to enjoy uninterrupted supply of pipe-borne water.
Governor Dapo Abiodun, who gave the assurance yesterday, after he inspected the Arakanga Old Water Works, Abeokuta, said the completion and installation of the five ‘Barage Gates’ would allow for proper damming of water and effective distribution of drinkable water to the people.
He noted that the rehabilitation of the waterworks was in tandem with his administration’s social welfare and well-being pillar, which has provision of potable water as a major component.
“We have slated our water provision across the state as our post mid-term agenda, in line with our provision of infrastructure. And under our social welfare and wellbeing pillar, water features prominently and this was our immediate intervention. Our subsequent intervention which will be the provision of water in our major cities such as Sagamu, Ilaro, Ota and Ijebu-Ode has been scheduled for post May 29, 2021. So, you will begin to see all our initiatives in this direction.
“We are looking at the distribution and reticulation. I’m sure that the good people of Abeokuta and the people of the state will begin to enjoy water supply that is clean, adequate, efficient and reliable, just like any other city worldwide,” the governor stated.
Abiodun attributed ceasing in supply of water across the state to the failure of the immediate past administration to mandate contractors handling various road constructions to repair water installations destroyed by them.
He, however, said his administration has included clauses which mandate contractors to repair water and other installations damaged while constructing roads and other infrastructure.
“The previous administration had awarded road contracts and the contractors had actually damaged the water reticulation without it being embedded in the contract clauses that will ensure that the water pipes were repaired.
“So, we have revisited that now. Our contracts now have clauses in them where any utility that is damaged by the contractor will be repaired by that contractor, so that we don’t have this type of situation repeats itself,” he said.
Abiodun explained that the ‘Five Gates’, which allows for proper damming of water when Ogun-Oshun River Basin fails to release enough water is now being operated automatically as against the manual system in the past.
“This is this same water that serves the Lagos State Water Works, without this, the Adiyan and Akute Water Works will suffer. This is one of the steps we took without even formalising our relationship with Lagos, and that speaks of our collaboration and cooperation that we have with Lagos State.
“The original gates were operated manually. The new gates are electronic and automatic,” the governor added.
He further assured residents of Iberekodo and Arakanga in Abeokuta North Local Government Area of the state of his administration’s determination to complete the road in the areas, which was started but abandoned by his predecessor.
However, Akarigbo and Paramount Ruler of Remoland, Oba Babatunde Ajayi, has commended Abiodun for his equitable and people-centred style of governance.
He appealed to the Ogun State people to support him continually.
Oba Ajayi identified the socio-economic developmental drive, road infrastructure, education, ICT development, housing projects, and health care among others as areas where Abiodun has positively impacted on the lives of the people in the last two years.
The Akarigbo spoke at his palace in Sagamu during a reception organised by the Committee of Friends in honour of the Permanent Secretary, Bureau of Political Affairs and Administration, Mr. Olurotimi Olumide Sotubo.
According to the monarch, the equitable and people-oriented style of Abiodun’s governance has continued to ensure executable and visible dividends of democracy across the three Senatorial Districts of the state.
Also speaking, the State Head of Service, Alhaja Selimot Ottun, attributed various socio-economic developments and the relative peace being enjoyed in the state to the foresightedness and exemplary leadership of the governor, pledging the unflinching support of the State workforce.
She described Mr. Sotubo as a hardworking officer whose deeds have fetched him the honour, noting that his virtues should be emulated by other civil servants in the State.
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