Soji Ajibola, Ibadan
State Government has proposed N3billion worth water investment plan for effective water supply to all the local government areas of the state.
Chairman, Oyo State Rural Water Supply and Sanitation Agency, Najeem Omirinde, made this known on Monday while fielding questions from newsmen in Ibadan.
Omirinde said out of the N3 billion water investment plan, N500 million was dedicated to repair of faulty public boreholes throughout the state to ease people the burden of contributing money towards such purpose.
He added that he had contacted chairmen of all local government areas and their Local Community Development Areas (LCDAs) to submit lists of ten of such faulty boreholes in each community.
He said, “Oyo RUWASSA has already contacted the chairmen of all the local government areas in the state to make a list of ten faulty boreholes in their areas for repairs. This is to reduce the number of boreholes to be dug and be environmental friendly and as well cut cost.
“The governor has assured the people of the state of his readiness to make water available, both from the surface (dam) and from the deep ground, to ease the burden of our people’s quest for water.
“Governor Makinde has set aside a N3 billion water investment plan for immediate solution for water problem in Oyo State and from this, the sum of N500million will be used for repair of faulty boreholes in all public areas.”
Najeem hinted that the state governor had directed that every new borehole dug in public areas must be solar-powered so as to ensure durability of the project.
He, however, called on the general public to write the agency whenever they wanted to request for digging of borehole for public use or for private homes and businesses.
He noted that the cost of digging boreholes by the agency for private homes and businesses would be cheaper in comparison to the cost to be charged by private borehole-drilling companies.