As the world marks the 2020 World Water Day, the Osun government has reiterated its commitment to the provision of potable water in the state.
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Dr Amidu Raheem, the State Commissioner for Water Resources and Energy, spoke at a press conference on Sunday in Osogbo.
Also present at the forum was Mr Adeniran Ibitoye, the Special Adviser to the Governor on Water Resources.
The commissioner said government was ready to collaborate with relevant stakeholders and organisations to ensure adequate water supply in the state.
Raheem said the press conference was organised to mark the 2020 Water Day and to sensitise the public on the significance of water to a healthy lifestyle.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the theme for this year’s Water Day is ” Water and Climate Change.”
The commissioner, who described water as indispensable to healthy living, said government had strengthened the capacity of the ministry toward the provision of potable water for residents.
He said the ministry had been mandated to ensure the provision of clean drinking water, stressing that the provision of potable water remained one of the core mandates of the present administration in the state.
“The main purpose of this conference is therefore to advocate for the sustainable management of fresh water to the general public.
“This year’s World Water Day is to emphasise the importance of water to human race and create avenue to discuss how nature-based solutions are sustainable and cost-effective ways to help rebalance the water cycle, mitigate the effect of climate change and improve human health and livelihood,” Raheem said.
Ibitoye, on his part, lauded the efforts of the government in ensuring drinking water for all since its inception.
He noted that the state had remained relentless in its efforts at increasing access to potable water through rehabilitation of existing water facilities in the urban, semi-urban and rural communities of the state.
Ibitoye said the State Water Corporation had also been saddled with the task of supervising the day-to-day functioning and maintenance of the water schemes.