By Abbas Nazil
Ogun State government is set to enhance water production and distribution by leveraging technology and the Internet to provide clean and quality water for residents.
The Special Adviser to the Governor on Sustainable Development Goals (SDG) and Water Resources, Damilola Otubanjo, disclosed this during an assessment tour of water generation facilities in Abeokuta.
Otubanjo emphasized the government’s commitment to ensuring that the state water corporation not only produces water but does so sustainably.
She highlighted plans to modernize the system by automating processes and utilizing advanced technology to enhance efficiency.
According to her, many of the current systems are outdated and require optimization to improve service delivery.
Addressing challenges in the sector, she identified maintenance issues and quality assurance as critical areas needing attention.
She noted that her engagement with the water corporation team revealed the importance of strict quality control measures and consistent water testing.
The government plans to install sensors and meters to monitor both the quality and quantity of water produced, ensuring accurate revenue estimation.
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One of the major reforms includes the transition from flat and post-paid billing to pre-paid metering for water consumers across the state.
Otubanjo explained that this shift would allow customers to pay only for the water they use, eliminating unnecessary losses and improving revenue collection.
She also acknowledged that many residents fail to pay their bills due to unreliable water supply and assured that the state government is working on improving water distribution.
The government also aims to enhance response times to pipe bursts and leakages. Otubanjo assured residents that repairs would be handled swiftly, ideally within 24 hours, to prevent wastage and contamination.
She urged the public to collaborate by reporting issues through a toll-free line (07080601161) and emphasized the importance of advocacy and awareness to restore public trust in the Ogun State Water Corporation.
The Consultant to the Governor on Water Resources, Mrs. Olufunmilayo Jaji, reiterated that water production is not limited to Abeokuta, listing several other facilities, including Papa Water Works, which serves Papalanto, Ilaro, and Ifo, as well as schemes in Ota, Ijebu-Ode, Ijebu-Igbo, and Ago-Iwoye.
She encouraged residents to promptly pay their water bills and report burst pipes to prevent contamination.
During the tour, Mr. Olatunji Oladapo, Chairman of Workers’ Estate, Laderin, commended the government’s commitment to addressing water supply issues and ensuring uninterrupted service.
Among the locations visited were the Oke-Temidire Water Reservoir, Arakanga Water Corporation facilities, Alamala and Car Wash booster stations, as well as Panseke, Ibara, and Laderin borehole schemes.
