We’re Repositioning Oyo Water Corporation, Improving Water Supply To Residents – Adeojo
•By Oyeniyi Awojoodu
IBADAN – THE Chairman of the Water Corporation of Oyo State, Hon. Elias Adeojo, has explained efforts being made by the corporation to improve water supply to industries and homes across Ibadan and other parts of the state, noting that the efforts have begun to pay off.
Adeojo, who hailed the Governor ‘Seyi Makinde administration for its commitment to the welfare of residents, said the governor has made funds available for the corporation to purchase equipment and materials that will enable it to address the state’s water supply challenges.
Though he noted that there is still a long way to go in fixing the problem and ensuring that water supply gets to a majority of residents, Adeojo maintained that the corporation has succeeded in getting water to many areas in Ibadan and other city centres such as Eruwa, Oyo and others.
Adeojo, who declared that the corporation has been spot on with regards to quality control and ensuring that only clean water is supplied to the people, tasked residents of the state to reach out to the corporation to report pipe vandalism, water leakage and anything that has to do with water corporation asset through 08155326750 and 08077033774.
He noted, however, that the challenges of electricity supply, which is out of the corporation’s control, vandalism of pipes, destruction of pipes due to road constructions and dilapidation of water supply equipment have made it difficult for residents to get the water directly in their homes and areas.
He stated that these challenges are already being addressed, as according to him, the corporation would soon go round Ibadan to fix damaged pipes with a view to getting water directly to the majority of residents.
He said: “It is about two years now since I have been chairman of the Water Corporation of Oyo State and since inception, we have managed to facilitate water supply back to homes and areas where our people can benefit.
“We began by facilitating the connection of electricity back to Asejire. This is why we now have water in some areas in Ibadan. The Eleyele Waterworks is fully functional; it is not 100 per cent but we are getting there.
“In Oyo, we have the Erelu Waterworks; it is functional as well. Eruwa is functional as well; there is also water in Eruwa and Ogbomoso. In Saki, we have a minor issue, which is electricity-related. I think there is a problem with the supply of power from Ilorin. So, it’s beyond our control.
“Our water supply systems are functional, but obviously the predominant issue is electricity. It is holding us back. We have been managing the situation, because there’s no other alternative. The alternative that is available will take time because it is long-term, but for now we are focusing on the short-term and that is to get the IBEDC to work with us to achieve the same objective, which is serving the people.
“A couple of months ago, Governor Makinde gave our corporation approval to purchase equipment and materials. The suppliers are almost done supplying the equipment, the pipes, and the fittings to connect the pipes. So, very soon we’re going to start going from area to area to try as much as possible to fix all the damaged pipes.
“In order for us to achieve this goal, I am also using this opportunity to still thank the IBEDC for their cooperation, and to seek for their continuous cooperation.
“In a couple of areas in Ibadan where there’s constant supply of electricity, people are actually enjoying water supply. When you pump water from Asejire, it goes straight to Agodi, but before it gets to Agodi, there are certain areas on the road like Alakia, Olode and Ogungbade. All these areas are enjoying water from what we call online, which means that we don’t have to worry about gravity to get water to them. As long as we are pumping water, they get water. As long as there is water in the big pipe, these areas get water.
“Some people might say, no, we don’t have water; the reason is because, as I said, most of the pipes have not functioned in a long time due to vandalism, stealing of the irons and so on. So, what we did was to block those areas so that we don’t waste water, because water wasting is costing much money as we would be wasting alum, electricity and all that. But now that we are receiving the materials, the pipes and fittings, we will now go to those areas to fix the problems so that they can also have water.”
Adeojo explained that the challenge of poor and erratic electricity supply has been behind the unavailability of water from the corporation, saying that it needs power to pump water to many areas in Ibadan because of its different elevations.
He stated, however, that despite this challenge, the corporation has managed to push water supply to areas like Basorun and Bodija, commending residents of the areas for paying their water dues, while also pleading with those yet to start doing that to kindly comply.
Adeojo said that the corporation has also been able to identify where its supply has reached and would begin to lay new pipes to push the supply farther towards Oketunu, Beere and other areas, as according to him, the availability of booster stations in some of the areas would also help the corporation to achieve its goal once the pipes have been fixed.
He added that other areas in Egbeda and Ona Ara Local Governments, among others, are also being targeted for supply, though the funds needed to address the situation are quite huge and might not be available in one fell swoop.
The chairman equally noted that the corporation has a dam in Eleyele and a 40-million litres capacity reservoir, from which it is meant to supply water to Oke-Bola, Jericho, Mile 110, Ologuneru and Ido, noting that it is making headway in solving the problem in that axis too.
“The other scheme is in Eleyele, that’s responsible for supplying water towards Ologuneru around that Ido area where I’m from. We have managed to at least get around this same answer. If you go there now, we have a standpipe there,” the chairman said.
Adeojo stated that the corporation had also been working hard to generate revenues for the state, stating that apart from residents of the state paying for water supply, the corporation had also been working on leasing some of its lands, which had been lying fallow and unused for years.
“By the grace of God, when we achieve the goal of fixing the challenges, and we make sure that there’s continuity, people will pay for water and the Water Corporation of Oyo State will become the number one corporation generating the most IGR for the state in the nearest future. I am sure about that.”
While fielding questions from newsmen, Adeojo also explained that the corporation’s approach to water supply is to ensure that no area is left behind, explaining that the Ikere Gorge Dam, which belongs to the Federal Government through the Ogun-Osun River Basin Development Commission, could also be put to use for water supply to Iseyin and its environs.
Adeojo said that as of now, the targets of the water corporation include getting water to homes in line with Governor Makinde’s vision by making sure it fixes the challenges on the ground, putting a sustainable system in place and also ensuring the corporation generates revenue that will contribute to the state’s development.
He added that the corporation is also looking at protecting its equipment and pipes by creating marker posts.
The chairman was accompanied by the Coordinating Director of the Corporation, Mrs Roaques Sotunwa and the Director, Commercial Services, Mrs Mabel Adegbenro, among others.