Ekiti To Construct 110 Solar-powered WASH Facilities In 16 LGAs

Ekiti State government has concluded plans to commence the construction of another set of 110 WASH facilities across the 16 local government areas (LGAs) and 22 local council development areas (LCDAs) of the state.

According to the state’s commissioner for Infrastructure and Public Utilities, Prof Mobolaji Aluko, the move is part of the government’s continued efforts to guarantee adequate provision of safe and potable water, sanitation and hygiene (WASH) facilities to residents of the state.

Speaking in Ado Ekiti, Prof Aluko disclosed that no fewer than 110 solar-powered pumps and accessories have been delivered to the state for the purpose of executing the water projects.

He explained that the project is being executed under the World Bank supported program for Result arrangement, the Sustainable Urban and Rural Water Supply, Sanitation and Hygiene (SURWASH) Programme.

The commissioner added that the project aimed at improving access to water, sanitation, and hygiene services, particularly in underserved communities of benefitting states.

Aluko stressed that the idea of buying the pumps in bulk was to save cost and ensure standardisation of pump quality and after-installation servicing.

“The broader project is our SURWASH program and part of what we have been doing in the past two years is actually to ensure access to water and sanitation in urban and rural areas.

“We have been constructing boreholes, sanitation and toilet facilities in schools, health centers and communities over the past two years with 121 Water, Sanitation and Hygiene (WASH) facilities rehabilitated and 64 solar powered boreholes constructed.

“The current installment is 110 WASH facilities consisting of anchored-in solar powered boreholes to be located in 55 schools and 55 health centers across the State with each LGA and LCDA getting two units, additional two units for each LGA and an extra two for Ado LGA.”