For many years, access to potable water has been one of our greatest challenges in Ondo State.
It was a delight to perform the groundbreaking of the AFD-assisted and AFDB-assisted Water Supply Projects, yesterday.
The AFD-assisted Urban Water Supply Project will breathe life back into the Owena Water Treatment Plant. It will deliver new transmission mains from Owena to Akure, build modern Water reservoirs with a capacity of 7,500m³ and expand the water distribution network across our capital city; While the AFDB-assisted project will extend this impact even further by strengthening sanitation systems and expanding water coverage across seven Local Government Areas of Akure South, Akure North, Idanre, Ifedore, Ile-Oluji/Okeigbo, Ondo East and Ondo West. I also launched the distribution of Water Quality Testing Kits.
With these kits, individuals, households and communities can test for bacteria, acidity, turbidity, hardness, nitrates and other essential parameters.
To complement this, our administration has approved the procurement of Water Treatment Tablets, which will be distributed free of charge; These tablets will provide immediate relief to households with unsafe water sources, reducing the risks of cholera, typhoid and other water-borne diseases.Special thanks to our partners: the French Development Bank (AFD), the African Development Bank (AFDB), the African Growing Together Fund (AGTF) and the Federal Government for their unwavering supports.
I also salute the people of Ondo State for their patience and resilience over the years. It is our expectations that these projects, when completed would form the backbone of a modern, efficient and sustainable water supply system for our people.
Our administration will continue to prioritize access to potable water in both urban and rural areas. We will keep strengthening the institutions and partnership that ensure sustainability and service delivery in the water sector while ensuring that no other sector is left unattended.
