Aregbesola commends FG’s Ilesa Water Project

(Ministry of Water Resources Report) – The Governor of Osun State, Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola has commended the Nigerian Government for its huge efforts towards providing potable water for the people of the State, particularly Ilesha Town.
 
Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola made this commendation when the Minister of Water Resources, Sarah Reng Ochekpe accompanied by the ministry’s technical officials on an inspection tour of the Ilesha Dam paid him a courtesy call at the State Government House in Osun State recently; saying he was delightful that the FG has come to the aid of the people because the Ilesha Town has been without potable water for forty years.
 
He further expressed his appreciation to the Minister for her unusual interest in the welfare of the people of the State, explaining that the suffering of the people who search for potable water would become a thing of the past as soon as the project gets completed. He also noted that while being mindful of the shared responsibility of the three tiers of government in the provision of potable water to the people, he is conscious of the need for more assistance in the reticulation of water from the dam to ensure perfect completion of the project because of the limited funds from the State.
 
The Governor stressed the need to continue with the second and third phases of the project towards ensuring the realization of the ultimate objectives of the huge investment. He stated that the State Government on its part would complement the federal government’s efforts and will require support in the treatment of the water as well as its reticulation for public consumption. He promised the State Government’s support and solicited for further partnership from the federal government on more of such projects in the State.
 
While briefing the Governor, the Minister of Water Resources, Sarah Reng Ochekpe averred that the President’s intention to get all projects completed did inspire the revisit to the dam which was beneficial to the people. She inferred that the President is earnestly embarking on projects which will improve the living standard of the people.
 
According to her, the Federal Government will partner with the State Government towards full utilisation of the dam. She called on the State Government to ensure that the water is well treated and reticulated before distribution to the community during the second and third phases of the project. “We believe that after completing the first phase of the project, the FG will continually work with the State Government, in order to make potable water available to the people,” she explained.
 
Sarah Reng Ochekpe expressed fulfillment that the project has provided jobs for the people of the community, thereby improving their socio-economic lives in line with the job creation policy of the President. She further described the project site as a good place for tourism, saying the State Government should take full advantage of the potentials of the dam site for the development of the State.