Ondo partners FG on rural water, sanitation investment plan
By Julius Alabi, Akure
The Ondo state government has reaffirmed its commitment to improving access to potable water and sanitation facilities in rural communities as it partnered the Federal Ministry of Water Resources and Sanitation (FMWRS) to develop a comprehensive rural water supply, sanitation and hygiene investment plan.
Declaring open the workshop on the plan in Akure on Tuesday, the Commissioner for Water Resources, Public Sanitation and Hygiene, Hon. Ayodele Akande, described the initiative as a strategic step towards addressing water and sanitation challenges in rural communities across the state.
The workshop, organised by the Federal Ministry of Water Resources and Sanitation, held at SunView Hotel, Alagbaka Akure, brought together stakeholders from across the 18 local government areas of the state as well as officials of the Ondo State Rural Water Supply and Sanitation Agency (RUWASSA).
Akande commended the Federal Ministry for its sustained interest in the development of the water sector in Ondo State, noting that the collaboration had significantly contributed to efforts aimed at ensuring the availability of safe and potable water for residents.
According to him, the partnership between the state and the Federal Ministry has strengthened ongoing programmes designed to improve water supply and sanitation services, particularly in underserved rural communities.
He said the investment plan would provide a strategic framework for expanding water infrastructure, improving sanitation practices and enhancing hygiene awareness in rural areas.
The commissioner emphasised that the involvement of local governments in the initiative was critical to its success, describing them as the closest tier of government to the grassroots.
Akande said his support for the participation of local government authorities in water and sanitation programmes was informed by his experience as a former local government chairman.
“Local governments are closer to the people and understand the peculiar challenges of rural communities. Their participation is essential for the effective implementation of water and sanitation programmes,” he said.
He also commended the General Manager of RUWASSA, Engr. Rotimi Oladimeji, and the agency’s management team for their dedication to improving rural water supply and sanitation across the state.
Akande noted that the large turnout of participants at the workshop from across the state demonstrated the commitment of stakeholders to tackling water and sanitation challenges.
He urged participants to take full advantage of the workshop to acquire knowledge and strategies that would enhance the delivery of water and sanitation services in their respective local government areas.
The commissioner further encouraged officials of RUWASSA and local government representatives to apply the knowledge gained during the workshop to their assignments in order to improve service delivery.
Earlier, Akande had received the team of consultants appointed by the Federal Ministry of Water Resources and Sanitation to coordinate the programme in Ondo State.
The team, led by Prof. S.B. Igboro, visited the commissioner in his office ahead of the workshop to brief him on the objectives of the assignment.
Igboro explained that the consultants were in the state to coordinate and flag off the establishment of the Comprehensive Rural Water Supply and Sanitation Investment Plan in Nigeria.
He noted that the programme was part of efforts by the Federal Government to strengthen water supply and sanitation systems in rural communities nationwide.
According to him, the initiative is being implemented under the Inclusive Basic Services Delivery and Livelihood Empowerment Integrated Programme (IBSDLEIP), funded by the African Development Bank (AfDB).
Igboro said the programme was designed to enhance access to basic services while also supporting livelihood opportunities in rural areas.
He appealed to the Ondo State government, the Ministry of Water Resources and Sanitation, and RUWASSA to provide the necessary support and cooperation to ensure the successful implementation of the programme in the state.
The workshop is expected to produce a framework that will guide investments in rural water supply, sanitation and hygiene services across Ondo State.
