Governor Abiola Ajimobi of Oyo state has called on the federal government to urgently put in place necessary
measures for the completion of all abandoned water project in the State.
He made the call in Ibadan while receiving the Board of Directors of Ogun-Oshun River Basin Development Authority, led by its Chairman, Colonel Ibrahim Hassan Biu, during a courtesy call on him in his office.
Governor Ajimobi expressed his displeasure that four major water projects had been abandoned by the Federal Government due to non-provision of budgetary allocation for the completion of the projects.
According to the governor, some of the abandoned projects included the Middle Ogun irrigation project, Ikere Gorge Dam, Sepeteri and Ofiki dams and Ogunpa water scheme.
Governor Ajimobi, who reiterated the commitment of his administration toward the provision of potable water for the people of the state, solicited the support of the Ogun-Osun River Basin Authority in this regard.
The State Chief executive decried a situation whereby only N20million out of N700million budgeted for the Oyo regional water supply and only N1million out of N5 million for Igboho water supply were released by the federal government which he described as grossly inadequate.
He stressed the need for improved partnership and management with relevant ministries of the state government in the effort towards the provision of water for the people of the state.
“The location of federal government bore holes in the state are unknown to us. We don’t know many of them. I suggest that we have move collaboration and we should participate in whatever you are doing for us,” he said.
In his remarks, the Chairman of the authority, Colonel Biu (rtd) lauded the infrastructural development programme of Governor Ajimobi’s administration which he said had given the state capital a remarkable facelift .
“The spate of infrastructural development is quite impressive and we wish to commend Your Excellency for a job well done,” he said.
He added that the authority would focus attention on how to impact more on the socio-economic well-being of the people and communities in Oyo State.
The Chairman also assured the governor that the authority would collaborate with the state government in ensuring improved water supply to the people of the State.
He said the authority had already dedicated a pipe for the Ikere gorge Dam with a storage capacity of 565 million Cubic metres of water for Oyo State to connect for water supply to Iseyin, Okeho, Iganna and environs.