Kwara among other states to benefit from $500,000 World Bank’s grant for WASH institutional reforms – Commissioner
The Kwara government has disclosed that the State is among other states to benefit from a $500,000 World Bank grant through the Federal Ministry of Water Resources and Sanitation on Sustainable Urban and Rural Water Supply, Sanitation and Hygiene (SURWASH) Programme to enhance staff capacity and strengthen Water Supply, Sanitation and Hygiene (WASH) institutions and legislation.
The State Commissioner for Water Resources, Hon. Usman Yunusa Lade, disclosed this during the week in the fourth quarter of the Inter-Ministrial press briefing held at the Ministry of Finance Conference Room.
According to a statement by Adamu Saidu, the press secretary of the ministry, the commissioner also emphasised that the state has commenced the implementation of the WASH counterpart-funded project in partnership with the United Nations International Children Emergency Fund (UNICEF) through the State Rural Water Supply and Sanitation Agency (RUWASSA).
While highlighting the success recorded by the ministry in the last three months, Lade disclosed that Irra and Erin-Ile Waterworks have been completely rehabilitated and that the desilted Sobi Waterworks rehabilitation project is ongoing.
He also said that the Lafiagi and Zambufu Waterworks have been completed, adding that the Asa-Dam and Agba-Dam treatment plants have been significantly upgraded to enhance the quality water supply and distribution within the Ilorin metropolis.
250,000 benefited from health insurance scheme in three months – KWHIA
He further stressed that the state government has equally handed over the Otte-Oja/Budo Egba and Omu-Aran Waterworks in Asa and Oyun Local Government Areas to contractors for reconstruction and rehabilitation, respectively, adding several hand and motorised boreholes have been drilled across the state to enhance water supply in the state further.
He reaffirmed the government’s commitment to ensure that residents in the state have adequate potable water supply to enhance healthy living.
Commenting on the effort of the government to end open defecation, Hon Lade briefed the press that the present administration has completed the construction of three prototype lavatories at Ajikobi, Alanamu and Eruda communities, adding that smart VIP toilets in various communities have also been constructed, a testament to government’s determination to achieve an Open Defecation Free (ODF) status for all LGAs in Kwara State.
