(http://www.osundefender.org/wp-content/uploads/2011/11/waterworks.jpg)
Osun State government has concluded plans to ensure that every resident in the state enjoys sustainable potable water supply.
This was disclosed by the Special Adviser to Governor Rauf Aregbesola on Water Resources, Engineer Tawa Williams at this year's ministerial press briefing held at the Local Government Service Commission at the state secretariat in Osogbo.
Williams stated that the six major water works and 45 micro waterworks were running below capacity as at the time the administration took over in 2010, adding that the problem of portable water provision would soon become a thing of the past in Osun State.
According to her, the major waterworks, which were designed for a combine capacity of 226,000 litres of water per day, were producing only 23.724 Million litres per day, while the micro waterworks with combined capacity of 13,400m per day, were producing only 18.6 percent of their capacity.
She, however, disclosed that the Aregbesola-led administration intended to address the water supply challenges from two fronts by putting in place facilities that will bridge the gap between demand and actual productions, as well as putting in place system that will assure the sustainability of the facilities.
Williams stressed that the state government would embark on rehabilitation and modernization of both new and old Ede Waterworks, to raise the output of water to 730,000 litres per day.
On the sources of funds for the project, the Special Adviser revealed that it would require external funding in form of grants, aids and soft loans from agencies like World Bank, Japan International Cooperation Agency, Canadian International Development Agency and European Agency, to achieve the laudable programmes.
She promised to ensure that personnel are well-equipped and trained for the maintenance of the facilities upon completion, while counterpart staff would be attached to each of the projects.
"Government also intends to explore available opportunities for twinning arrangement with experienced international water utility organizations, as well as to explore the possibility of private public partnership".
Williams further emphasized that government will expect people to respond positively to payment request for water consumed by them, stating that as a first measure, the state government intends to embark on consumers' enumeration, after which the government would conduct "willingness to pay study".
Osun Defender