The Minister of State, Federal Ministry of Water Resources and Sanitation, Hon. Bello Muhammad Goronyo, has pledged the Federal Government support for Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile Ife, regarding Water, Sanitation, and Hygiene (WASH) interventions.
The minister affirmed that the university will benefit from these interventions once the necessary modalities are established and the project is included in the 2025 Budget.
Goronyo made this commitment during a courtesy visit on Thursday, in Abuja by the Vice Chancellor of the university, Prof. Adebayo S. Bamire, Pro Chancellor Prof. Siyan Oyewebo, and Consultant/Geologist Agugo Abraham.
During the visit, Goronyo requested that a formal proposal be submitted to the Minister of Water Resources and Sanitation for approval.
He added that the proposal will facilitate the dispatch of a team of experts to the distressed Opa Dam that supplies water to the Institution to assess its condition, evaluate sedimentation levels, and address WASH-related issues.
According to him, the team will provide recommendations to resolve the Dam’s problems.
The minister further stressed the importance of adequate WASH facilities on campus to alleviate water access challenges for students.
He advised the university management to consider Public-Private Partnership arrangements and engage with Federal Government’ intervention programs like SURWASH and PEWASH to tackle water distribution issues from the Opa Dam.
He further highlighted the issue of abandoned government projects at the community level due to a lack of ownership and urged those responsible for government properties to maintain and care for them diligently.
Director of Dams and Reservoirs, Engr. Alli Dallah, and Director of Water Supply, Mr. Mukaila Babarinde, noted that dams are long-term projects requiring thorough feasibility studies. They suggested considering boreholes as a temporary solution.
Earlier in his remarks, the Vice Chancellor, Prof. Adebayo Bamire, had requested for special interventions from the Federal Ministry of Water Resources and Sanitation (FMWR&S) in the areas of desilting of the aging Opa Dam, provision of adequate potable water supply, strengthening of the existing distribution system and replacing asbestos pipes with HDPE pipes, construction of a new dam, and provision of adequate sanitation facilities.
Also, the Pro Chancellor Prof. Siyan Oyewebo expressed gratitude to the Minister of State and his team, requesting immediate assistance to improve water supply before the next academic session, as students are currently on holiday.
