The Osun State Government has assured the people of Ijesaland that the Ilesa Water Project will be completed.
Mr. Sunday Olufemi Oroniyi, the Commissioner for Water Resources, gave this assurance during an on-the-spot assessment of the damage to underground water pipes caused by the ongoing Ilesa Roundabout-Brewery Expressway dual carriageway project after reports by this medium and Isaac Haastrup on the issue
Mr. Oroniyi stated that the exhumed pipes would be replaced during the project and dismissed concerns about the potential abandonment of the water project.
He emphasized that the administration of Senator Ademola Adeleke is committed to the well-being of the residents and will ensure that the projects are completed on schedule.
The Commissioner explained that although the project had been delayed by mining activities near Kajola Ijesa’s water source and legal action taken by the contractor managing the water project, progress was being made at Ilesa’s booster stations, and the reservoirs were nearly finished.
Supporting Mr. Oroniyi’s statement, Mrs. Jokotola, General Manager of Osun State Water Corporation, advised property owners and traditional leaders in riverine areas to stop granting approval documents to miners, whose operations continue to contaminate the Kajola water source.
Mrs. Jokotola mentioned that the Federal Ministry of Mining and the State Government are developing a long-term plan to protect the Kajola Dam from further mining contamination.
Engineer Yemi, the site engineer for Horizon Construction Company, which is handling the dual carriageway project, confirmed that all damaged pipes would be replaced with the help of the Osun State Ministry of Water Resources.
He added that proactive measures would be taken to minimize damage to the remaining pipes.
The Ilesa Water Project, initiated in 2017 by former governor Rauf Aregbesola, is funded by the Islamic Development Bank at a cost of $65 million.
Credit:Isaac Haastrup
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