Kwara Govt Inspects Water Projects in Rural Communities
The Kwara State Government on Friday reassured communities of adherence to the specifications and prompt completion of forty water and simple smart toilets projects in different communities across the state.
The Senior Special Assistant on Community Development to the Kwara State Governor, Dr Lawal Olohungbebe who gave the reassurance during his visits to various communities that benefitted from the recently approved rural water and smart toilets projects facilitated by his office.
Among the communities visited were Idi-ogede, Idi-ose Aribidesi, Ganmo, Osunte in Ilorin West, Ilorin South, Ifelodun, and Offa local government areas respectively.
Olohungbebe, who was received at Idi-Ogede by the Magaji of Idi-ogede, Alhaji AbdulRazaq AbdulKareem and Chairman of Community Project Management Committee (CPMC), described the water and smart toilet projects as intervention aimed at addressing issues of rural water supply and open defecation.
According to him, “Mallam AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq-led administration is committed to deepening community engagement through
Community-based organisations (CBOs) while ensuring that the impact of infrastructural development is felt in every community.
“Community engagement is very important in achieving an all-inclusive and sustainable development. Therefore, the present administration is mindful of the fact that projects are better appreciated and adequately maintained when people in the community are involved at every stage. In view of this, the government is assuring you of its continued partnership with the CBOs while addressing community needs”, he added.
Responding, the CPMC member of Idi-Ogede, Mallam Salaudeen Abubakar, said the water project was strategically sited while commending the government for heeding the call of the community.
At Ganmo, the solar-powered motorised borehole and smart toilet were sited very close to the market. The decision, according to the CPMC Representative, Azeez Feyishara, was informed to address the lack of a functional public toilet with water supply in the area. He, therefore, assured the SSA Community Development that the facilities would be adequately maintained.
It would be recalled that the projects, implemented through the Kwara State Social and Community Development Agency (KWASCDA) and Kwara State Rural Water Supply and Sanitation Agency (RUWASSA), were part of the recommendations made by the community-based organisations in the state at a summit held across the three senatorial districts.