The Ogun State Government has called upon communities that have not had access to public water but desire to benefit from it to reach out to the state government through the Water Corporation to make their requests.
Funmi Efuwape, the Commissioner for Special duties and Intergovernmental Affairs in Ogun State, made this appeal to community leaders in response to questions raised by journalist on Friday.
Efuwape, who was present at the celebration of World Water Day at Oke Mosan alongside Water Corporation, stated that the state government had invested millions of Naira in laying pipes across streets in the state during the initial phase of the project to ensure water access in certain areas.
She noted that 50 percent of the population in Abeokuta now has steady access to public water, facilitated by meters that require minimal payment for recharging.
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The commissioner announced that the second phase of the project would commence soon, urging community leaders and individuals desiring water in their areas to approach the Water Corporation to make their requests.
Additionally, she issued a stern warning against tampering with meters and pipelines, stating that officers would be deployed to monitor and punish anyone found engaging in such acts.
Efuwape urged communities to report individuals involved in criminal activities related to water theft, cautioning that failure to report such incidents could lead to penalties for the entire community.
She also appealed to road contractors to consult with the Water Corporation to relocate pipes if road construction projects intersect with areas where pipes are being laid.
In a separate statement, the General Manager of Ogun State Water Corporation, Mrs Muinat Jaji, warned against the use of explosive materials to blast rocks in search of water, as this weakens the environment and could lead to future damage, including the potential collapse of buildings’ foundations.
She emphasized that the state government would not tolerate such actions and urged community leaders to engage with the Water Corporation to facilitate access to public water during the upcoming second phase of the project.
Jaji also requested government assistance in repairing pipes damaged during road constructions and expediting the second phase of pipe laying in areas currently without water access.
She expressed gratitude for the state government’s previous support and declared that 50 percent of the population in many parts of Ogun State now enjoys access to water.
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