Excitement As Aregbesola Flags Off N48.7bn Water Project In Ilesa

Reprieve has come to the residents of Ilesa in Osun state on the hardship their facing on water.

Governor Rauf Aregbesola on Monday commissioned a N48.7bn water Project that will distribute water to the entire Ijesaland.

The water project which include construction of transmission mains, booster stations and three 10,000 cubic meters concrete reservoirs, will give 60million litres of water per day when completed.

According to the governor, the project is the largest single project in the whole of Western region.

Aregbesola who described the project and a groundbreaking success of his administration and Ijesaland stated that the project was being financed by the Islamic Development Bank.

He disclosed that the bank offered the state N23bn financial commitment, explaining that the money could only be accessed by the Consultant alone.

The governor added that the IDB gave the State government five years moratorium aftrr which the State would begin refund for 25 years.

Aregbesola stated that the project was a product of his engagement with Leadership of the IDB in Mecca, Saudi Arabia, in 2011 where he solicited for the bank’s assistance on the provision of water for the people of Ijesaland.

He declared that the Kajola dam which will distribute water to the three reservoirs in Ilesa was built by the Federal Government but was handed over to the State government late 2014.

The governor added that the dam cost the FG a sum of N8.3bn, just as he said the State government had paid all the people whose lands wet acquired for the reservoirs

He explained that the contractor has assured that he would finish the project in 24 months,hence, the project would be ready by December 2019.

“I am happy this is happening today, because the state has been on it for a long time. This journey started as far back as 2011when I went to the Islamic Development Bank for financial assistance on the project and I am happy it is a reality today.

“I am proud to say that this water project is the largest singular project in the whole of western region, the project when fully completed would have gulped a total of 48.7billion naira.

“When completed, it will be able to supply at least 60million litres of water of water per day”.

The governor explained that the distribution network of the water project which is the final phase, will cost the state N15.3 billion, calling private investors to come forward and invest in the distribution process of the water scheme.

He said: “The distribution network after this installation will still cost about 15.3b naira, so I am calling on private investors to come forward and invest in the project for commercial purpose. I assure that it will be a win-win situation for all parties involved.”

Speaking at the event, a Senior Consultant on Water Resources, Engr. Mrs Tawakalitu Williams explained that the project is part of the move to actualize one of the key points of the administration’s integral action plans which is the provision if healthy living.

She noted that the commencement of the project is a landmark achievement as successive governments have tried frantically in the past to achieve it without success.

In a goodwill message, the Owa Obokun of Ijesha land, Oba Adekunle Aromolaran commended the Aregbesola’s administration for bringing the project to the land even at a time of financial constraints.

The royal father noted that the move has gone a long way to underline the fact that the Governor truly has the development and well being of the people at heart.