The Kwara State government pledged to leave no stone unturned in ensuring that adequate supply of water is made available to every home in the state. Abiola Azeez writes that the government's efforts towards achieving this goal have started yielding results.It is a common expression thatwhat leaders do with public fundsis not really the major concern of the electorate, since there are anti-graft agencies, which are established in the first place, to checkmate any leaders' excesses. However, every electorate believe that the leaders should provide the basic necessities of life to ameliorate the suffering of the masses and improve on their lifestyle.The provision of such basic infrastructures, such as potable water supply, quality health care services, adequate power supply and good roads, people say, is the main thrust in accelerating rapid socio-economic growth and development in any given community.Determined to make a change among its peers and fulfil parts of the campaign promises made to the electorate the present Peoples Democratic Party (PDP)-led government in Kwara State embarked on efforts at ensuring availability of basic infrastructures, in different parts of the state.Water, it is often said, is life. In this regard, the Governor Abdulfatai Ahmed-led administration has commenced efforts at improving on the people's basic needs in the area of potable water supply. The availability of water remains necessary, especially for domestic purposes, such as, cooking, bathing, among other uses. Its usefulness also extends toother areas, as it is also needed for industrial purposes and for the general socio-economic development in the state.The process started with the past administration, led by Senator Bukola Saraki, which increased the pumping capacity of the Asa Dam water project from 12 million gallons of water per day to over 50 million gallons, thus ensuring regular water supply to various homes in the state capital, Ilorin.Also, all other water dams situated across the three senatorial zones of the state were developed and equipped to make the pumping of the water from the dams to various outlets across the affected towns and villages in the state possible. Additional boreholes were also sunk by local government councils and NGOs in many parts of the state to complement the efforts of the state government towards making potable water supply available to the populace.Thus, in order to consolidate on the efforts by the immediate past administration in the area of water provision, the incumbent governor, upon his assumption of office, and in line with his slogan, 'Legacy Continues', swung into action with the aim of ensuring that water was supplied to every home in Kwara. The state government has, therefore, commenced the sinking of over 72 boreholes across the length and breadth of the state in order to ensure that areas where the pipeborne water initially were not available nowhave access to regular water supply.The project consists of 40 motorised boreholes and 32 hand-pumps, which were sunk across the three senatorial districts of the state in order to improve water supply in the state.Those areas and communities that have benefited from the motorised boreholes from Kwara Central Senatorial District include Iderade Fomo Oloje in Ilorin West Local Government Area, Danialu area, Gaa Akanbi, Ilorin and UMCA Theological College. There was also the provision of hand-pump borehole at Ita-Alamu community, all in Ilorin South Local Government Area, while in Asa Local Government Area, communities like Obate Koro, Budo Ijesa, Afon have benefited from the hand-pump boreholes.In Ilorin East Local Government, the people of Atenge, Ajanaku Ologi and Alfa Nda Mosque Lanwa have benefited from the motorised boreholes, while in Kwara North Senatorial Area of the state, the people of Yanbua and Alafianu in Baruten Local Aovernment Area benefited from the hand-pump boreholes. The people of Tunga Maji, Bani Are in Kaima Local Government Area also benefited from the hand-pump boreholes, while the people of Molete Youth Farm got motorised borehole. Ogunkan Community, Idi-Ose equally benefited from the hand-pump boreholes, while Bisewa got the motorised borehole. Gubagi and Ekati progressive association also benefited from hand pump-borehole, all in Moro Local Government Area, while in Patigi Local Government Area, the people of Kanti, Patigi, Ndatwaki area, Patigi and Lata benefited from motorised boreholes.In Kwara South Senatorial District, the people of Ile-Olusin area (Ijara-Isin), Kudu-Isin and Owu-Isin in Isin Local Government Area benefited from the motorised boreholes. In Irepodun Local Government Area, the people of Okeya and Rore communities benefited from the motorised boreholes and the hand-pump borehole was provided for the Comprehensive High School, Ojomu-Oro, in Ifelodun Local Government Area. The people of Share and Owa-Orire got motorised boreholes while hand pump borehole was provided for the people of Igberi-Owode community.In Ekiti Local Government Area, the people of Ajuba, Aree-Opin and Isare-Opin benefited hand pumps boreholes, while people of Ekan community got motorised borehole and Odo-Owa/Ilofa Marke also got hand pump borehole. In Oyun Local Government Area, the people of Onira palace got motorised borehole, Ansarul Secondary School, Ipee got the hand-pump, while in Offa Local Government Area, the people of Igbo- Idun and Adeleke benefited from the hand pump boreholes in their communities.Aside providing boreholes by the present administration, it also commenced the rehabilitation of Pepele Water Works located in Ilorin East Local Government Area of the state in order to boost the constant supply of water to the populace in the state.In the end, about seven communities are expected to enjoy the free flow of water to their various homes in the affected communities in the state. Those seven communities that will benefit from the supply of potable water include the host water works community, which is Pepele, while others include Elesinmeta, Gaa Okanla, Budo Oba, Kelebe, Kojo, Ajibowo and Ajididi.Speaking with the Gamji after the State Executive Council (SEC) meeting, the Commissioner for Water Resources, Mr Abubakar Idris, said the state government had approved the sum of N3.756 billion to water projects, including construction of waterworks, sinking of motorised boreholes, dams, and 70 VIP latrines.Abubakar, an engineer, who said the state government was determined to ensure that people do not trek more that 500 metres to get quality water, added that the water project would involve restoring the capacity of existing regional water works in the state.Some of the people who spoke with Gamji on the new development commended Governor Ahmed for this urgent attention towards making water available to the rural communities in the state.In her remarks, a resident of Yidi Road, Ilorin, Mrs Lydia Adeleye, said the problem being experienced by the people of the area, especially during the dry season, would be a thing of the past, as water is now available for the residents all the year round.
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