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Friday, March 29, 2024

Ekiti Gov’t Partners With World Bank On $55 Million Water Generation Project

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Ekiti State Government and the World Bank are to rehabilitate water projects in the state with the sum of $55 million in the next six years.

The projects would be under the Third Urban Water Sector Reform Project being led by the World Bank.

The World Bank team led by Mr.  Pier Mantovani, met with Governor Ayodele Fayose in his office over the matter on Friday.

Governor Fayose said the state was ready to do its own side of the bargain by providing the counterpart fund of $5 million, but warned against sidelining the state government in the execution of the project.

The Governor said his administration would provide the needed political will to drive the project, and called for adequate sensitisation of the public about the reforms that would accompany the project.

“For any project to succeed you need the commitment and political will of the man at the helms of affairs. When that is done, the project is 50 per cent successful. We are going to provide that.

“When the European Union came about 10 years ago for rural water projects, I was in office then and did what was necessary and the project did not go beyond where I left it. Part of the project, the Ikere Water Scheme, was completed about three weeks ago.

“Iyin is next and we have started meeting with the people of the town. Projects must not be left in the hands of those who don’t have the commitment. I will support the project and will be with you every second. Generating water is not as important as the people owning the project,” he said.

Mantovani, who said the World Bank would contribute $50 million to the project, commended the governor for his determination to see to the successful execution of the project.

He said apart from Ekiti, two other states namely Rivers and Bauchi would also benefit from a similar gesture.

He added that with the zeal shown by Governor Fayose, the project could be completed within four years instead of the anticipated six years.

The Commissioner for Public Utilities, Mr. Deji Adesua, expressed optimism that the project would help in solving the water problem confronting some parts of the state.

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SourceThisDay

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