Osun State Governor, Mr. Rauf Aregbesola, has disclosed that his government has secured a loan of $65 million from Islamic Development Bank to be used to improve the provision of water to the people of the state.

He stated this during the World Water Day celebration held at White Plain Hotel and Suites, Osogbo, capital of Osun State, yesterday.

Aregbesola, who was represented by the Senior Consultant on Water Resources, Mrs. Tawakalitu Williams, stated that the step was in line with the six-point Integral Action Programme of his administration.

Williams also said the government has concluded plans to boost agriculture through irrigation.

According to him, “Healthy living cannot be achieved without adequate access to potable water supply. It is on the recognition of this that my administration embarked on the rehabilitation of Water and Sanitation Facilities in Urban, Small Towns and Rural Areas of the state.

“The state has secured a loan of $65 million from Islamic Development Bank for the construction of the treatment plant, 17 kilometres transmission line from Kajola to Ilesa, Booster pumping station and three water reservoirs on the hill.

“The state will provide a counterpart fund of about $40 million for the construction of water distribution system and sanitation. The scheme will by the grace of Almighty God be commissioned by my administration before the end of 2018.

“This year’s theme, ‘Water and Wastewater’, is also in line with the mandate of the six-point integral Action Plan of my administration to improve agricultural production to ensure food security in the state.”

The team leader of the European Union, who was also present at the celebration, Mr Adebayo Alamo, appreciated the efforts of Governor Aregbesola.

“Osun state is second to Anambra State in providing the counterpart funds needed for this programme out of 14 States that the European Union is supporting,” he added.

The guest lecturer, Professor M. K. Shridah, also lauded Governor Aregbesola’s efforts towards providing potable water for the people of the state and advocated the need to use good water for healthy living.

Shridah who is a lecturer in the College of Medicine, University of Ibadan, observed that many diseases come from water and urged people to ensure that they make use of clean water at all times.

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