Osun Govt Signs Water Reform Bill into Law

—————–Calls for Proper Use and Maintenance of Water

In a bid to make water more available for use by the people and to check the indiscriminate wrong use of water, the state Government of osun has signed into law the State Water Sector Law

Also, Integrated Water Resources Management (IWRM) Committee has been put in place so as to ensure effective and efficient allocation of water among various users in the State.

The Law, when fully implemented will go a long way in checking the activities of people who waste water and also those who cause hazards to others through the use of water from their own end.

The Project Coordinator, Water Resources and Rural Development Office, under the Ministry of Local Government, Chieftaincy, Water Resources, Rural and Community Affairs, Engr Adelere Adeyemi-Oriolowo dropped this hint while speaking with journalists in Osogbo.

He said the execution of the various components of the law as well as the ratification of the various sections of the law is already being put in place.

Engr. Oriolowo added that when fully functional, the law will amongst other things be able to regulate the activities of all water users and suppliers in the state so that people will fully benefit from the efforts of government in making water available for all.

Echoing a similar view, the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Local Government, Chieftaincy, Water Resources, Rural and Community Affairs Mr Mufutaudeen Oluwadare stressed that the administration of Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola is doing everything possible to ensure that people use water judiciously.

Oluwadare further explained that, another integrated approach the state government embarked on was the making of a ceaseless effort towards eradicating open defecation practices in various communities across the state through a pragmatic approach of massive provision of water, sanitation and hygiene facilities in public places across the length and breadth of the State, to ensure healthy lifestyle.

The PS noted that, Water Sanitation and Hygiene Committees (WASHCOM) have been set up by the Office of Rural Water and Environmental Sanitation Agency (RUWESA) in all rural communities of the State to ensure good sanitation and hygiene practices in their communities.

Oluwadare added that, the Council Managers through the Director WES of each local government areas are to ensure that these communities maintain their water and sanitation facilities for healthy community living.

Institutional and Policy Expert (IPE) European Union Supported Water Supply and Sanitation Sector Reform Programme (EU-WSSSRP-II) in the State, Mr Adebayo Alao disclosed that, Integrated Water Resources Management (IWRM) is all about efficient and effective allocation of water for different categories of users without jeopardizing the chance of other users from using the water.

He further explained that, it is to ensure that actions and inactions of water users do not have negative impact on other users of same water, especially those living downstream.

According to the team leader, IWRM Committee was setup by the state to ensure that, each category of user of water is adequately taken care of without any itch noting that everybody needs to key into a process which promotes the coordinated development and management of water, land and related resources.