Editor
By Fatima Saka
As part of his investigative tour of Federal water supply, dam, and irrigation projects in the South West region, the Honourable Minister of Water Resources and Sanitation, Prof. Joseph Terlumun Utsev, made a visit to the Ilesha Water Supply Project in Ilesha, Osun State, on Wednesday.
The purpose of the visit was to evaluate the current status of the project and identify strategies for both the Federal and Osun State governments to enhance water supply to 32 villages in the Ilesha vicinity.
Prof. Utsev underscored the imperative for prompt action to ameliorate the caliber and quantity of water being provided.
He stressed that the suggestions put forth by the Osun State consultant and crucial insights regarding the design of the proposed reservoir and treatment facility will be thoroughly scrutinized.
This encompasses a focus on environmentally sustainable frameworks, cost-effectiveness, and superior water quality. Various stakeholders, including the Osun State Commissioner for Water Resources, water resource engineers, and specialists, will collaborate to devise optimal solutions to the challenges facing the project.
During the inspection, Prof. Utsev observed a notable decline in the water volume from the reservoir as reported by the project consultant.
He urged the Osun State consultant to furnish comprehensive recommendations and announced the scheduling of a meeting to deliberate on the most efficient strategies for ensuring uninterrupted water supply to the communities in Ilesha.
Engr. Lanre Abioye, the project consultant for Osun State, briefed the Minister on the findings of the investigation.
He highlighted that the initial water supply capacity had diminished due to illicit activities upstream.
Abioye proposed the desilting of the reservoir, the construction of a 5 million cubic meter reservoir, and the implementation of periodic maintenance to enhance water distribution and reticulation to the communities.
The visit was attended by the Osun State Commissioner for Water Resources, Hon. Sunday Olufemi Oroniyi; senior officials from the Osun State government; Directors from the Federal Ministry of Water Resources and Sanitation; and other prominent stakeholders and experts in water resources.
