The Kwara State Government has reiterated its commitment to ensuring that residents have access to adequate potable water supply, promoting healthy living for all.

During a recent State Inter-Ministerial Press briefing held at the Ministry of Finance Conference Room, the State Commissioner for Water Resources, Hon. Usman Yunusa Lade, provided updates on the progress of various water supply projects in the state. He announced that the Irra and Erin-Ile Waterworks have been fully rehabilitated, while the desiltation and rehabilitation of the Sobi Waterworks are currently ongoing.

Hon. Lade also highlighted the government's efforts to combat open defecation, emphasizing the importance of sanitation and the need for community cooperation in achieving a cleaner and healthier environment.

Lade stressed that "Lafiagi and Zambufu Waterworks have also been completed and people of the communities have started accessing potable water supply.

He reiterated that Asa-Dam and Agba-Dam treatment plants have been significantly upgraded to enhance the quality water supply and distribution within Ilorin metropolis.

"The State Government has equally handed over the Otte-Oja/Budo Egba and Omu-Aran Waterworks in Asa and Oyun Local Government Areas to contractors, for reconstruction and rehabilitation respectively. Be that as it may, several hand and motorised boreholes have also been drilled across the state, to further enhance water supply to the people," he added.

Hon Lade briefed the press that, this administration has completed the construction of three prototype lavatories at Ajikobi, Alanamu and Eruda communities, in Ilorin Metropolis, to avoid open defeacation, which could trigger epidemics.

The Commissioner also informed the gathering that, the state government in addition to the public lavatories has constructed along with it other smart VIP toilets in various communities, which marks a significant step towards eliminating open defecation and fostering better hygienic practices.

He stressed that these projects are a testament to our determination to achieve an Open Defecation Free (ODF) status for all LGAs in Kwara State.

Lade affirmed that, Kwara State is among states to benefit from $500, 000 World Bank grant, through Federal Ministry of Water Resources and Sanitation, Abuja, on Sustainable Urban and Rural Water Supply, Sanitation and Hygiene (SURWASH) Programme, being a technical support, enhance staff capacity, and help strengthen our Water Supply, Sanitation and Hygiene (WASH) institutions and legislation, and ensuring a more robust water and sanitation sector.

He emphasised that the state has commenced the implementation of the WASH counterpart funded project in partnership with United Nations International Children Emergency Fund (UNICEF), through the State Rural Water Supply and Sanitation Agency (RUWASSA).

He pointed out that this initiative has demonstrated the state government focus on expanding water and sanitation services to underserved communities and highlights the importance of collaboration collaboration in achieving sustainable development.