Ogun reaffirms commitment to clean water access, Agricultural empowerment

OGUN, Nigeria - The Ogun State Government has reaffirmed its steadfast dedication to providing clean drinking water throughout the state, emphasizing the well-being of its citizens as a priority. 

The Special Adviser to the Governor on Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and Water Resources, Damilola Otubanjo, made this known during a visit to water facilities in the Yewa region. She stressed that access to clean and safe water is a fundamental human right that should not be affected by political zoning.

Otubanjo mentioned that the purpose of the tour in the Ilaro-Yewa area was to evaluate how to enhance water infrastructure, including boosting pump capacities to serve additional communities.

She praised the Ogun State Water Corporation team as committed and dynamic, reiterating that decisions regarding water projects are made based on necessity, technical feasibility, and potential impact rather than political considerations.

“As we continue to implement the Ogun State Water Supply Master Plan, the administration led by Governor Dapo Abiodun is focused on the people. Our aim is to ensure that all residents have access to clean water, regardless of their location or political affiliations.”

“The objective is to assess the condition of each scheme and decide whether to rehabilitate or replace them based on cost-effectiveness and efficiency.”

Also in a related development, Abiodun officially launched the cassava harvest on an 80-hectare farm at Ifonyintedo in the Ipokia Local Council area.

A statement from the Project Communications Officer, Simbo Olayinka, in Abeokuta, the state capital, indicated that this initiative is part of the Ogun State Economic Transformation Project (OGSTEP), which aims to enhance agricultural productivity and improve the livelihoods of farmers.

The governor stated that this initiative is designed to boost food security and empower farmers throughout the state.

“The farmland, cultivated by 80 farmers, has received extensive support from the Ogun State Government, with these farmers enjoying a 65% subsidy on land clearing and 50% discounts on cassava stems, herbicides, pesticides, and fertilizers,” he explained.

Abiodun, represented by the Commissioner for Agriculture and Food Security, Bolu Owotomo, noted that each farmer is expected to earn at least N2.4 million from the harvest.