Ekiti partners EU, World Bank on water supply

THE Ekiti State Government says it is partnering with the European Union (EU) and the World Bank to develop underground and surface water.

The partnership, government said, would enable it tackle the water and sanitation problems in the state.

The Special Adviser to the Governor on Infrastructure and Public Utility, Mr. Kayode Jegede, said this on Sunday in Ado-Ekiti at a press conference.

The event, organised by WASH Media Network and the Justice and Peace Development Initiative (JDPI) of the Ekiti Catholic Diocese, was to mark this year’s World Water Day.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that as part of the celebration, WaterAid Nigeria and JDPI members are to embark on a “Walk for Water ” in Ado-Ekiti.

To mark the event, participants would trek about five kilometres to create awareness on the need for safe water and sanitation services in the state.

Jegede said the partnership on water would cover urban and rural communities.

“Ekiti State Government has approached the EU, World Bank and the Department for International Development (DfID) to develop both surface and underground water supply to solve some of our water problems in the state.

“What the government wants to do with the programme is a comprehensive arrangement that would last for a long period and be sustained. We believe that if we can get clean water to the people, diseases will reduce, our people will be happier and it will lead to increase in production,” he said.

Jegede said 704 boreholes were sunk in various locations in the state within the last two years by the state government and other intervention agencies.

He also said 381 water boreholes were functioning and being used, adding that the percentage of water provision was 54 per cent.

Jegede also said the state government embarked on house-to-house sanitation inspection as part of efforts to ensure that the people live in a clean and healthy environment.

Besides, the special adviser said the state would soon introduce bi-monthly sanitation exercise in market places and motor parks.

Jegede identified ageing facilities, inadequate manpower, population explosion and manhandling of functioning water fetching points as some of the problems militating against regular supply of water in the state.

Source : Guardian