By Akinnodi Francis

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Access to water supply in all rural areas of Ondo State has increased by 40 percent within the 100 days in office of Governor Oluwarotimi Akeredolu .
The State Governor, Oluwarotimi Akeredolu disclosed this in a keynote address at the official commissioning of upgraded Kamomi Aketi Accelerated Water Scheme phase two, the first of it kind in the state in Ogbagi Akoko.
Represented by the chairman of Akoko North West Local Government, Mr. Ayodele Akande, Akeredolu said the scheme is aimed at providing 100 percent clean water coverage to small towns and rural communities in the state.
He said the phase two scheme is 100 meter cube storage tank on 12 meter high stanchion with 7km distribution pipe networks, hybrid powered with 10.2kw solar energy and connected to national grid.
His words: “It also has groundwater discharge of 12m cube per hour and water supply of 200m cube per day at a fetching distance for population between 6,000 to 15,000. It has a complaint office equipped with furniture, store, control room and toilet.
“The scheme is simple, efficient and sustainable for rural and small towns managed by Water, Sanitation and Hygiene Committee (WASHCOM) of Ogbagi Akoko.”
He noted that apart from drinking water purposes, the current trend in the WASH sector globally was to proffer proper hygiene through hand washing for the prevention of COVID-19 virus and other water related diseases.
“In 2019, I declared emergency in the WASH sector towards ending open defecation; use the toilet and make Ondo State clean during which 20 motorcycles was distributed to ODF ambassadors in the 18 LGAs.
He commended the entire community of Ogbagi Akoko for their massive support during the October 10, 2020 election and the trust in the present government.
He urged them to ensure the sustainability, ownership and effective operational services of the community owned project.
In his remarks, the Owa of Ogbagi, Oba Victor Adetora appreciated the governor for his purposeful vision and timely completion of the project, urged him to extend more developmental projects to the area.
He appealed to the community to see the project as their personal property and handle it properly to attract more government projects in Ogbagi and Akoko North West generally.
Also, a member representing Akoko North West 2 in the state House of Assembly, Mr. Mohammed Taofik Oladele, described the governor as a man of his words with high level of sincerity.
He said the water project would prevent people of Ogbagi and its environs from water related diseases, urged them to be free to inform the agency in case of any problem faced during the operation of the project.
Early, General Manager, Ondo State Rural Water Supply and Sanitation Agency (RUWASSA), Engr. Rotimi Oladimeji noted that the commissioning was a testimony of the government commitment to ensure safe drinking water supply are provided for every communities in the state.
According to him, “At each capacity, the community would have access to 2,000 liters of water per day. The population of Ogbagi is over 15,000, so the water project would be able to supply 70 percent of the populace.