Governor Seyi Makinde of Oyo State has commissioned a newly-purchased water drilling rig at the State Secretariat in Ibadan on Monday.

The drilling rig with compressor, mounted on a Lealand Trailer did a test drilling of a borehole close to the old House of Assembly Complex in the State Secretariat.

Speaking on behalf of the Governor, the Deputy Chief of Staff, Hon. Olawale Mogbonjubola said issues relating to water sufficiency would be a paramount area of interest to the present administration, which led to the overhauling of the Oyo State Rural Water Supply and Sanitation Agency (OYRUWASSA).

He hinted that the rig was the first to be purchased by any Government in Oyo State and would be put to maximum use by the agency.

“The Governor is happy for the history we are making today, as this is the first drilling rig with compressor to be purchased by any administration in Oyo State.

“It signifies the fact that water sufficiency will be our target, especially at the grassroot, our people will no more suffer lack of portable water and health consequences.”

In his welcome address, the Chairman OYRUWASSA, Engr. Najeem Omirinde said he was happy for the gesture of the State Government in procuring the drilling rig.

Omirinde hinted that the agency already started drilling of boreholes at strategic places like schools, markets, parks and other areas which would take care of basic water needs of the people.

He enjoined the people of the State to continue giving their support to the State Government so as to enjoy more dividends of democracy.

Dignitaries at the event include the member, House of Assembly Committee on Water, Hon. Alabanla Adekunle, Commissioner for Health and Water Resources, Barr. Idowu Oyeleke, Chairman, Oyo State House of Assembly Commission, Hon. Musah AbdulWasi.

Others are members of the OYORUWASSA board among who are Engr. Abu Salam, Hon. Olayiwola and Evangelist Ayobami Sunday.

Signed:

Wasiu Olatubosun (P.hd),

Hon. Commissioner for Information, Culture and Tourism, Ibadan.

The Rural Water Supply and Sanitation Agency in collaboration with Latter Day Saint Charities has commissioned a clean water project for the people of Alugbo Oluwo area in Erunmu Community of Egbeda Local, Government, Ibadan, today.

The Executive Governor of Oyo State, Engineer Seyi Makinde while speaking through the  Director General, Abuja Liason Office, Honourable Busari Olayemi stated that the water project apart from drinking will also help community members to engage in sustainable vegetable crop and livestock farming, resulting in increased agricultural productivity at the community level, while also appreciating the Latter Day Saints Charities for their benevolence and continued support for Oyo State and the water sector in particular, he charged the people of the community to put the borehole to good use, in order to enable generations after them to benefit from the laudable achievement.

Makinde reiterated that the state government is determined to expand potable and clean water supply to more communities and homes in Ibadan and Oyo State at large.

In his remarks, the Chairman Oyo State Rural Water Supply and Sanitation Agency, Engineer Najeem Omirinde stated that the present administration in Oyo State is a welfarist government and this is exemplified in the various socio-economic projects on-going in the state, especially the provision of clean water and sanitation facilities for the people of Oyo State.

He stated further that the State government policy direction is geared towards ending open defecation by 2025 and the administration is committed to support Donor Agencies with similar vision.

He further enjoined the LDS Charities to join hands with the government in extending the provision of potable and safe drinking water to motor-parks and markets in Oyo State, adding that it is imperative to complement the efforts of the state government in ending open defecation in the State by 2025.

While addressing the gathering, the Church Leader and President of the Latter Day Saints Charities, President Peter Olubukola Apantaku charged the beneficiaries of the borehole project to ensure sanity and cleanliness around the water facility so as to ensure it’s longevity and prevent outbreak of diseases through the water, noting that without water their is no life.

Earlier, in his remarks the Program Coordinator, Latter Day Saints Charities, Bishop Christopher Onwumah informed the gathering that the water project is about improving lives through quality water, he further gave the assurance of maintenance of the facility for the next six months, adding that the borehole was financed by LDS charities with the use of world class, quality equipment.

In his own response, the Chairman of Alugbo-Oluwo community, Mr. J. O. Olaojo expressed immense gratitude to Latter Day Saints Charities and Oyo State Government on-behalf of the entire community members, noting that their age-long suffering as regards water supply has finally been brought to an end.

Water is life, highly indispensible, essential for human, animals and plant development, he retorted.

The site Monitor Contractor for LDS charities, Engineer Rasaq Majolagbe, Secretary, Ajorosun LCDA, Honourable Abiodun Oyelami, Coordinating Director, Mr. A.M. Adeduntan and other Management staff of RUWASSA, also graced the occasion.