By Mike Adebayo, Ado-Ekiti
Residents of Ekiti State have been assured of far-reaching improvement in supply of potable water, sanitation and hygiene in the State.
The overseeing Commissioner for the State Ministry of Infrastructure and Public Utilities, Prof. Bolaji Aluko gave the assurance during a meeting with the Federal Programme Implementing Unit team (FPIU) of the Sustainable Urban, Rural Water Supply, Sanitation and Hygiene programme who were in the State on a Technical Support Mission and sites screening for the proposed projects.
Professor Aluko explained that the programme kicked off in January this year, in partnership with the World Bank was designed to strengthen relevant institutions, sectors and policies and ultimately increase access to water supply, sanitation and hygiene in the State.
Reiterating the commitment of the Fayemi led administration to the welfare of people in the State, Prof. Aluko said that the present Government would continue to work till the last day in office adding that no stone would be left unturned towards improving the general well being of the people in the State.
He expressed appreciation to the development partners in the State and solicited the continued support of all stakeholders for the efforts at developing the State and improving the lot of the people.
In his remarks, the Co-Programme Coordinator, Mr. Dahiru Abdulkarim said that the team was in the State to interact with the stakeholders on how best to ensure successful implementation of the programme in the State as well as monitor and supervise the level of preparedness of the State for the takeoff of the programme.
Mr. Abdulkarim added that the team would also educate the stakeholders on the various components of the project and discuss with the implementing agencies in the State.
The team visited the Ministry of Infrastructure and Public Utilities, the headquarters of the State Water Corporation in Ado-Ekiti, the office of the Rural Water Supply and Sanitation at Ikere-Ekiti, as well as visiting some project sites including Awo-Ekiti and Araromi-Obo Ekiti.
The Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Infrastructure and Public Utilities, Engr. Olumide Ajayi pledged the commitment of all the stakeholders by using complementary mechanisms to ensure the success of the programme in the state.
The programme Coordinator, Engr. Adewumi Stephen expressed readiness of the State Implementation Unit for proper coordination of the programme towards achieving desired results of SURWASH in the state.