Some stakeholders in Osun State, on Friday, commended Governor Ademola Adeleke for provision of clean water, environmental sanitation and hygiene facilities in the state.
The stakeholders also called for more proactive measures toward ensuring that more efforts were put in place in meeting the needs of residents of the state.
They stated these in separate interviews with the News Agency of Nigeria ( NAN) on the sidelines of the meeting aimed at addressing some critical issues on water and sanitation.
Speaking with the Executive Director, Society for Water and Sanitation (NEWMAN), Mr Michael Ebofin, said the essence of the meeting was to gather stakeholders in order to have a workplan on good sanitation and water hygiene in the state.
He said that the workplan would be tendered to the state government to serve as a template in meeting the targeted needs of the populace.
Ebofin also said the need for continuity by the present administration on the achievements made so far on water and sanitation had become paramount due to the exercise yet to be carried out.
He called for more budgetary allocations to the ministries involved in provision of good water and hygiene with clean environment.
“The present administration should do more without any political gimmick to ensure that more funds are channel to water and sanitation,” he said.
Also, Commissioner for Women, Children and Social Affairs, Mrs Ayobola Awolowo, said women and children were at the receiving end on issues regarding hygienic environment and water.
Awlowo urged stakeholders to do everything possible to make Nigeria attain its 2025 goals of Open Defecation Free (ODF) status.
“Stakeholders need to step up its engagement to achieving its goals, while other ministries, departments and agencies should also emulate.
“We shall continue to support all MDAs to ensure access to safe water, sanitation and hygiene facilities for citizens of the state,” she said.
Earlier, Prof. Ife Adewunmi, of Redeemers University, Ede, said the state government should prioritise its workplan while embarking on any project in order to achieve its set goals.
This, Adewunmi said, would be of great advantage to water hygiene and sanitation beneficiaries.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the stakeholders’ consultative meeting had in attendance representatives of MDAs, non-governmental organisations (NGOs) and religious bodies.
