By Abdullahi Lukman
The Ekiti State Water and Sewerage Company (EKSWC) has conducted stakeholder engagements in selected communities to promote local ownership and ensure the sustainability of the Sustainable Urban and Rural Water Supply, Sanitation, and Hygiene (SURWASH) programme.
The outreach, led by the agency’s Public Relations Officer and SURWASH communication lead, Temitope Agboola, targeted communities benefiting from the rehabilitation and reticulation of the Ijan booster station.
Agboola said the initiative is aimed at improving access to potable water, stimulating economic activities, and encouraging residents to see the facilities as shared community assets rather than government property.
Communities expected to benefit from the project include Ago-Aduloju, Aso-Ayegunle, ABUAD, the Knowledge Zone, the Federal Polytechnic, and surrounding areas.
He explained that the engagement aligns with the state government’s commitment to inclusive development, transparency, and community participation, while also sensitising residents on their roles in protecting and maintaining the infrastructure.
According to him, the Egbe Dam, which serves as the main water source for the area, has been stabilised with improved electricity supply to ensure steady water distribution.
Residents were also assured that the project would not disrupt their livelihoods, as businesses are expected to continue operating normally during implementation.
Agboola urged community members not to obstruct contractors, adding that any surface damage caused during installations would be properly repaired.
To enhance collaboration, each benefiting community is to establish a five-member Grievance Redress Committee comprising representatives of men, women, and youth to address concerns during the project.
He further disclosed that a Water Consumers Association would be created after completion to oversee water distribution, maintenance, and long-term sustainability, while water supply would be provided at subsidised rates through a prepaid metering system.
Also speaking, project engineer Olumide Fakoade called for vigilance among residents to protect project materials from vandalism and warned against any actions that could hinder the project’s progress.
