…holds sensitization workshop for CSO’s, media in Ekiti
By Grace Nwafor, Taiwo Ramon
Ekiti State Government has reiterated its commitment in providing potable water to residents of the state.
The Commissioner for Infrastructure and Public Utilities, Mobolaji Aluko stated this in Ado Ekiti on Thursday at the “One Day CSO and Media Sensitization Workshop” on Sustainable Urban and Rural Water Supply, Sanitization and Hygiene (SURWASH) Program.
In his keynote address, Hon. Aluko stated that SURWASH, is a World Bank Loan program aimed at addressing certain critical issues in the state, adding that it will ensure availability of water to all residents of the state.
Aluko reiterated the essence of water to life saying that there are millions of people in Ekiti whom water pose a great challenge to.
In his words, “There are millions of Ekiti people who water is a challenge to. Sometimes because government has not provided the means, sometimes it’s because they cannot afford it.”
“But, we need to be able to ensure that everybody has access because it is what makes one have good living and for those who need it for economic opportunity, they will be able to use it to foster their own economic activities.”
On the challenges affecting the supply of water within the state, Hon. Aluko highlighted lack of power supply to be huge hindrance towards adequate distribution of water in the state.
“We are keen on ensuring that all those pipes that were laid around Ado and elsewhere start to get water into them so that in your own homes, you would have pipe borne potable water.”
Emphasizing on “Information Dissemination Perspective on Wash”, the Director of Information Service, Tope Babalola disclosed that the media is directly involved in the sensitization effort aimed at achieving the objectives of the program.
Mr. Babalola noted that the focus of the media practitioner is to generate contents especially on attitudinal change and maintenance of water infrastructure across the state.
He further urged the CSO’s and the Media to properly utilize the various media sensitization tools towards achieving the program objectives.
Other dignitaries at the workshop were Commissioner for information, represented by SSA to the Governor on Public Advocacy, Dr. Bakare, Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Infrastructure and Public Utility, Engr. Olumide Ajayi, Monitoring and Evaluation Officer Olatunji Olorunfemi, Dr. Adeyanju Mary, CSO’s and Media practitioners.