…As Governor’s Aide Seeks LGs’ Collaboration
The Ogun State Government has reaffirmed that revitalizing water infrastructure across the state remains a top priority of the Governor Dapo Abiodun-led administration.
The Special Adviser to the governor on Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and Water Resources, Hon. Damilola Otubanjo, made this remark during a water infrastructure assessment tour of Remo, Odogbolu, and the surrounding areas as part of ongoing efforts to revamp the water sector across the state.
According to her, the assessment exercise mainly focuses on addressing critical water management challenges, replacing outdated infrastructure, and overcoming funding and logistical constraints.
She expressed optimism that the government’s renewed focus on the sector would help resolve longstanding issues and improve water supply across the state.
The Special Adviser clarified: “Many of our water infrastructure facilities are not functioning optimally, and there are concerns regarding the inadequate utilization of available funding. This is a major challenge, and there is a lot of work to be done. We must act swiftly to rehabilitate critical water infrastructure to provide clean and potable water to the people of Ogun State.
“We urge His Excellency, Governor Dapo Abiodun, to support us in expanding water supply to more communities, as access to clean water is a fundamental necessity that requires urgent attention.
“I am confident that this administration, under the leadership of Prince Dapo Abiodun, will leave no stone unturned in ensuring that residents have regular access to clean and potable water,” she added.
Otubanjo further assured the public that with a team of experts working alongside her, the state residents should expect significant improvements in the water sector, even as she emphasized that her team remained committed to identifying and resolving challenges within the sector.
Also speaking, Consultant to the Governor on Water, Alhaja Muinat Jaji, reassured residents that they can expect improved and more efficient water supply, adding that the facility assessment by her team also focuses on aging equipment, which the state government has pledged to rehabilitate.
Water schemes inspected by the team included Ogere Water Surface Scheme – servicing Ogere, Iperu, Ilisan, Irolu, Ipara, Iperu Borstal Institution; Akaka Mini Scheme – covering Akaka and Ilara; Ilisan Borehole Scheme; Ikene Borehole Scheme; Odogbolu Reservoir; Ayepe-Ijebu Reservoir; and Sagamu Scheme.
Meanwhile, Otubanjo has called on local governments to take a more proactive role in addressing challenges in the water sector.
While stressing the need for stronger collaboration with the state government to tackle aging infrastructure, improve maintenance, and enhance water accessibility for residents, the governor’s aide noted that many communities were still suffering from inadequate access to clean water due to poor maintenance and lack of intervention from local governments.
She said: “Local governments must become active collaborators in progress. These water schemes are situated in their jurisdictions, and they need to take ownership of infrastructure maintenance. Beyond state, federal, or donor-funded interventions, local governments must ensure sustained operations and accountability in the sector.”
Otubanjo further disclosed that as part of efforts to localize the SDGs, the state would establish SDG Desk Officers across all 20 local governments to facilitate partnerships on targeted SDG intervention projects and programmes
She charged local governments’ chairmen and their teams to play an active role in ensuring that allocated funds for rehabilitating aging pipelines and water networks are effectively utilized.
