Gov. Ademola Adeleke of Osun has directed the immediate rehabilitation of selected waterworks and pipelines to boost the supply of potable water in the state.

This is contained in a statement issued in Osogbo on Friday by the governor’s spokesperson, Malam Olawale Rasheed.

The statement said the rehabilitation of the water scheme was in addition to the sinking of 332 boreholes by the state government via direct labour.

It said the boreholes, which had reached 85 per cent spread, were yet to be in about four more local governments.

The statement, denying reports that each of the 332 boreholes cost N14 million, said each was far less than insinuated.

It, however, said that full details of the cost of the boreholes would be made available during the ‘Ipade Imole’, an interactive accountability platform.

“In fact, when the full details are out, the public will applaud Gov. Adeleke for such unprecedented prudence.

“The borehole project is already benefiting the people and reports from all over the state show that Osun people, going by series of videos and pictures, are already enjoying water supplies from these boreholes,” it said.

The statement also said that due to the worsening state of infrastructure within the water sector, the governor approved the immediate upgrade of pipeline networks within the state.

It named, as example, both Ede and Osogbo waterworks alongside the repairs and recharging of water filters at Iwo and Eko-Ende waterworks.

According to the statement, the water scheme at Esa-Oke is also under rehabilitation, while the governor is following up with the Federal Ministry of Water Resources for the completion of the Ile-Ife water project.

It said the state government was also interfacing with the federal ministry to resolve the delay created by the mismanagement of the Ilesa water project with particular reference to the contractor and the project managers.

(NAN)