The Kogi State Commissioner for Water Resources, Engineer Farouk Yahaya, has reassured residents of Lokoja metropolis and its environs of government’s determination to improve access to potable water, even as he pledged to personally fund a solar-powered borehole for Ganaja community before the end of October.
The Commissioner gave the assurance on Thursday while receiving officials of the Challenged Parenthood Initiative (CPI), a non-governmental organisation, alongside members of the Ganaja Potable Water Working Group, at his office in Lokoja.
Engineer Farouk said the administration of Governor Ahmed Usman Ododo remained committed to strengthening water infrastructure across the state, noting that a recent inspection visit to Osara formed part of deliberate efforts to ensure the functionality of regional water schemes.
He disclosed that consultants had resumed work on the Lokoja Greater Water Works, with plans underway to expand the Greater Lokoja Water Supply Scheme to serve Ganaja and neighbouring communities.
“We are working on immediate steps to ensure that the Ganaja water plant starts production before the end of this year. You will see practical results before December 31,” the Commissioner said, adding that the expansion of the Greater Lokoja Water Supply Scheme would extend service to Ganaja and surrounding areas.
He described water as life, stressing that government would spare no effort in ensuring efficient and reliable water flow for residents of the state.
Speaking earlier, the Executive Director of Challenged Parenthood Initiative, Eunice Abimbola Agbogun, described the visit as the second phase of the Ganaja Charter of Demands advocacy project. She commended the Ministry’s efforts at improving water supply across the state, as well as government’s strides in road rehabilitation and healthcare, but appealed for sustained action towards ensuring safe and clean water for Ganaja residents.
Also speaking, the Chairman of the Potable Water Working Group, Abubakar Mogaji Muhammed, presented the Ganaja Potable Water Advocacy Position, calling on government to provide solar-powered or motorized boreholes, allocate adequate funding for water projects, and ensure timely implementation of its plans.
In a related engagement, Engineer Farouk promised the inclusion of women in all political activities in the state, while receiving members of a women’s political group, the Lokoja United Ladies Group.
He said the present administration remained committed to the development of women and youths, and assured the group of government’s continued support for their initiatives.
Leader of the group, Mariam Abbas Elukpo, said the group was desirous of inclusiveness in governance, expressing optimism that the Commissioner, as a political leader, would use his office to promote the group’s activities and give members a sense of belonging.
