The VLOM programme was sponsored by the UNICEF and designed principally to ensure continuity in hand-pumps maintenance in various hosting communities in the state.

The Programme which was segmented into two phases has six local governments as participants of the first phase. They include Baruten, Moro, Ilorin East, Ilorin South, Ilorin West, and Oyun local government areas.

Speaking during the flag off ceremony at the premises of the Kwara state Rural Water Supply and Sanitation Agency (RUWASSA), the Chairman Governor Board of RUWASSA, Alhaji Ibrahim Boriya, said the exercise was meant to add value to sustainable potable supply of water through adequate maintenance culture.

Boriya gave kudos to the state government and UNICEF for deeming it fit to train villagers on the need to repair hand-pump which according to him will reduce breaking down of hand-pumps in the state.

"I wish to commend the efforts of this administration in ensuring sustainability of VLOM programme in the state, and commend the efforts of UNICEFF in Kwara State for their constant support at ensuring a virile standard of this programme.

"It is my belief that the communities here present will imbibe the spirit of continuity in hand-pump maintenance in our various Communities"

Earlier in his address, the General Manager of RUWASSA, Mallam Sulyman Ibrahim, said the exercise was in line with the Kwara State government’s resolve that people of the state have access to quality water all year round.

The General Manager stated that the exercise will empower the participants to get their boreholes repaired by themselves. He stated said further that the exercise would further boost the capacity of the participants in terms of skills acquisition.

Sulyman said that the second phase of the programme would capture the other 10 local government areas in the state.

Engineer Hassan Saad who is one of the trainers said the training would run for four days, saying that the participants are expected to know all that is required to repair hand-pump boreholes after the four-day training.