The Federal Government has pledged to revamp its ongoing water projects nationwide to provide adequate water supply for citizens.
Minister of Water Resources and Sanitation, Engineer Joseph Utsev, embarked on an inspection tour of water projects in Osun State, visiting sites such as Ilesa Water Dam and Ife Water Dam.
During his visit, the Minister held brainstorming sessions with consultants and stakeholders to discuss ways to boost water supply.
Speaking to newsmen at the Ilesa Dam site, Engineer Utsev said: “We’ve been going around the country, and now, we are touring the South West Zone of the country which brought us to these dam sites which is being constructed here in Osun. And the aim of this Dam is to supply water to the treatment plant for onward supply to the inhabitants of this particular area. But visiting this particular dam, I’ve noticed that the quantum of water that was needed for treatment to supply to the inhabitants is not enough.”
He added: “Having spoken with the consultant, the stakeholders will deliberate on the reports they submitted and look at different options to arrive at an environmental-friendly and cost-effective ways of making sure that adequate water is available for the citizens.”
Engineer Utsev also stated that he would devise a means to ensure Nigerians get value for money on all projects under the Ministry after completing his tour.
Osun State Commissioner for Water Resources, Sunday Oroniyi, described the Minister’s visit as a positive turnaround for the Ilesa and Ile-Ife water projects, saying: “I want to believe that the visit of the minister will bring a lot of positive change, because this project (Ilesa Dam) has been on for long and it has even stopped, but we want to see the reason why the project stopped. That’s the reason behind this fact-finding mission by the Minister. So once we collate the problems, definitely, we will get the solution.”
