The Kwara State Government has reaffirmed its commitment to adhering to specifications and ensuring the timely completion of forty water and simple smart toilet projects across various communities in the state.
During visits to the communities benefiting from these recently approved rural water and sanitation initiatives, the Senior Special Assistant on Community Development to the Kwara State Governor, Lawal Olohungbebe, offered this reassurance.
Among the communities visited were Idi-Ogede, Idi-Ose Aribidesi, Ganmo, and Osunte, spanning the Ilorin West, Ilorin South, Ifelodun, and Offa local government areas.
Olohungbebe was welcomed at Idi-Ogede by the Magaji of Idi-Ogede, Alhaji AbdulRazaq AbdulKareem, along with the Chairman of the Community Project Management Committee (CPMC).
He characterised the water and smart toilet projects as crucial interventions designed to tackle rural water supply challenges and combat open defecation.
He stated, “The administration led by AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq is dedicated to enhancing community engagement through community-based organizations (CBOs) and ensuring that the benefits of infrastructural development reach 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. Given this, the government is assuring you of its continued partnership with the CBOs while addressing community needs”, he added.
In response, Salaudeen Abubakar, a member of the Community Project Monitoring Committee (CPMC) from Idi-Ogede, emphasised that the water project was strategically located and praised the government for responding to the community’s needs.
At Ganmo, the installation of a solar-powered motorized borehole and smart toilet was strategically placed near the market.
Azeez Feyishara, the CPMC representative, explained that this decision aimed to tackle the community’s lack of functional public toilets with running water.
He assured the Senior Special Assistant on Community Development that these facilities would be well-maintained.
It is important to note that these projects, executed by the Kwara State Social and Community Development Agency (KWASCDA) and the Kwara State Rural Water Supply and Sanitation Agency (RUWASSA), were part of the recommendations put forth by community-based organizations during a summit held across the three senatorial districts of the state.
