Fayemi Decries Neglect, Under-Funding of FG Projects in Ekiti

Ekiti State Governor, Dr. Kayode Fayemi has decried the neglect and under-funding of Federal Government projects in the State; saying that the exclusion of Ero dam from the 2012 budget was a confirmation of such neglect.

The Governor, who lamented the situation while playing host to a delegation of Federal Government committee on inspection of water projects, said aside the poor funding of on-going dredging of Ogbese Dam, the Federal Government has failed to give desired attention to Ero Dam.

“For us in Ekiti, Ero Dam supplies 10 of our 16 local governments and if anyone wants to help us with water provision, it should be with Ero dam. Any project that is about water that does not factor Ero Dam is not for Ekiti as far as Ekiti people are concerned”, he said.

Fayemi expressed dissatisfaction with the inclusion of only Ose in the Subsidy Re-investment and Empowerment (SURE) programme of the Federal Government, stressing that the dam hardly supplies 20 per cent of its total production to Ekiti State, adding that it mainly supplies Ondo, a neighbouring state.

While disclosing that Ekiti lawmakers at the National Assembly have agreed to expend their constituency allowance on irrigation and water project in the State, the Governor said he felt the Federal Government should have given the state a fair share in the citing and funding of federal projects, going by the water resources that Ekiti has.

Fayemi assured that the state government, not minding the neglect, would continue to seek assistance from development partners in achieving the 80 percent water supply target; adding that the state government has budgeted N3billion for the water sector in the 2012 budget.

He added that his administration, using its master plan on water supply, would ensure that water supply improved up to 80 percent before 2014 even as it has improved from 20 percent when he assumed office in 2010 to its present supply base of 40 per cent.

Earlier the leader of the delegation, Engineer Olugbenga Adegun had affirmed the state of neglect of the dams, saying that though the on-going dredging of Ogbese dam has been slowed down by payment, the federal government would review the work to ensure it is completed in time.

Adegun who disclosed that construction work has begun on Erio dam added that there was need to revamp Egbe dam so that it can meet the water need of both Ekiti and Ondo state.

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Last modified: February 16, 2012