Connect with us

latest

Ondo Govt Intensifies Water, Sanitation Reforms Despite Structural Challenges.

Published

on

The Ondo State Commissioner for Water Resources, Public Sanitation and Hygiene, Ayodele Samson Akande, has shed light on the challenges confronting the ministry, attributing difficulties in executing some statutory mandates to obsolete laws, funding constraints, and overlapping responsibilities with other government agencies. According to Nivo News, Akande said these factors have slowed enforcement efforts and policy implementation within the water and sanitation sector.....KINDLY READ THE FULL STORY HERE▶

Akande explained that the ministry, being relatively young, is still grappling with institutional and structural challenges, including outdated legislation establishing its operations and affiliated agencies. He noted that existing laws no longer reflect current realities, limiting the ministry’s capacity to penalise offenders involved in open defecation, water vandalism, and the distribution of substandard bottled and sachet water across the state.

According to Nivo News, the commissioner stated that upon assuming office, he initiated broad consultations with key officials, agencies, and stakeholders to develop a practical working framework. He said this collaborative approach has enabled the ministry to commence reforms aligned with the state government’s “Our Ease” agenda, resulting in improved access to potable water, strengthened infrastructure, and better service delivery in both urban and rural communities.

Akande clarified that the inclusion of public sanitation and hygiene under the water ministry was deliberate, stressing that water remains central to effective sanitation and public health management. He explained that while the Ministry of Environment focuses on solid waste, his ministry is equipped with professionals trained to manage liquid waste and water-related hygiene challenges.

Addressing concerns over open defecation and water-borne diseases, the commissioner said the ministry has sustained community engagement, public enlightenment campaigns, and the provision of solar-powered boreholes across the state. He added that these efforts are aimed at improving hygiene standards and reducing preventable health risks.

According to Nivo News, Akande disclosed that the ministry has intensified partnerships with local and international development partners to access funding for major projects, including the long-delayed Owena Multipurpose Dam Reticulation and Renovation Project. He described the initiative as the largest water-sector investment in the South-West, noting that it represents a major milestone in restoring water supply to Akure and surrounding communities.

The commissioner further revealed that legislative backing is being pursued to strengthen enforcement powers and eliminate overlaps exploited by criminal elements. He expressed confidence that once these legal gaps are addressed, the ministry will be better positioned to prosecute offenders and fully deliver on its mandate.

On governance and leadership, Akande said his professional background as a chartered accountant has shaped his administrative approach, emphasising accountability, teamwork, and service delivery. He noted that improved staff morale and internal cooperation have translated into faster decision-making and tangible progress within the ministry.

Reaffirming the government’s commitment, Akande said the ultimate goal is to ensure that every household in Ondo State has access to clean, safe water and a hygienic environment. He added that ongoing reforms are laying the foundation for sustainable development, public health improvement, and renewed confidence in the state’s water and sanitation sector.

Advertisement

latest

Fresh Leadership Change At LAWMA As Sanwo-Olu Names New MD, Redeploys Officers.

Published

on

Lagos State Governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu, has appointed Olajuwon Akinyemi as the acting Managing Director of the Lagos State Waste Management Authority (LAWMA).....KINDLY READ THE FULL STORY HERE▶

The appointment comes amid growing concerns over the poor management of refuse across the state, with heaps of waste reportedly littering major roads, residential areas and drainage channels.

Akinyemi replaces Dr Muyiwa Gbadegesin, who was asked to resign following the concerns over the worsening waste situation in Lagos.

Sanwo-Olu also approved the appointment of Dr Tijani Olorunwa as the acting Director of Operations, while Kunle Adebiyi will retain his position as the Executive Director of Finance.

As part of efforts to reform the authority, the state government has also approved the redeployment of several senior LAWMA officials to other departments and agencies within the Lagos State public service.

Under the arrangement, officers on Salary Grade Levels 13 to 17 will be transferred to the mainstream Lagos State Civil Service, local governments and Local Council Development Areas (LCDAs).

However, officials in the Legal Department have been exempted from the exercise to avoid disruptions to ongoing court cases and concession agreements being handled by the agency.

The heads of Landfill Operations, LAWMA Operations and Private Sector Participation Operations have also been temporarily exempted from the transfers for an initial period of 90 days.

Akinyemi, who hails from Badagry Local Government Area of Lagos State, is an experienced administrator.

Before his latest appointment, President Bola Tinubu appointed him Deputy Executive Secretary (Technical) of the Universal Basic Education Commission (UBEC) in 2025.

He had also served in the Lagos State public service, where he held the position of Deputy Executive Secretary (Technical) for UBEC.

Akinyemi previously worked as Director of Administration and Human Resources at the Lagos State Office of Infrastructure.

Continue Reading

latest

2027 Presidency: Donald Duke Declares Readiness To Step Down For Consensus Candidate.

Published

on

The presidential candidate of the Peoples Redemption Party (PRP), Donald Duke, has declared his willingness to support any candidate who emerges as the consensus choice of the opposition coalition ahead of the 2027 general elections.....KINDLY READ THE FULL STORY HERE▶

Duke made the declaration on Tuesday in Abuja during the PRP strategic retreat, where he also condemned what he described as deliberate efforts by the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) to weaken opposition parties ahead of the polls.

The former Cross River State governor accused the ruling party of using state institutions to frustrate opposition activities.

He lamented that opposition parties were allegedly being denied access to campaign venues while political violence was allowed to persist.

“Indeed, right now in this country, the only party able to campaign is the APC. They’ve locked out every person,” he said.

Duke warned that the growing political hostility could trigger a national crisis. He drew comparisons between the current political atmosphere and developments that preceded the 1966 crisis and the Nigerian Civil War.

He also expressed hope that the 375 judges recently inaugurated to handle election-related cases would uphold integrity and dispense justice without fear or favour.

Meanwhile, the PRP National Chairman, Hakeem Baba-Ahmed, warned that Nigeria could face serious instability if the rising cases of political violence and intimidation against opposition parties were not urgently addressed.

Baba-Ahmed said attacks on opposition politicians and restrictions on their campaigns could undermine the electoral process, deny Nigerians the opportunity to exercise their democratic rights and plunge the country into deeper political uncertainty.

“We are not scared for the PRP, we are scared for the country,” Baba-Ahmed said when asked about concerns over possible attacks on the party during its campaigns.

Continue Reading

latest

Super Eagles Begin Tanzania Clash Preparations As 17 Players Arrive In Uyo.

Published

on

Nigeria have commenced preparations for their 2027 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) qualifying double-header against Tanzania, with 17 players reporting for the Super Eagles’ first training session in Uyo on Tuesday, November 10.....KINDLY READ THE FULL STORY HERE▶

The team’s preparations encountered an early setback after flight scheduling issues at Victor Attah International Airport delayed the arrival of several players on Monday.

However, 10 players arrived on Tuesday morning. They included goalkeepers Stanley Nwabali and Arthur Okonkwo; Fulham duo Calvin Bassey and Alex Iwobi; Ola Aina, Semi Ajayi, Moses Simon, Akor Adams, Benjamin Fredrick and Alhassan Yusuf.

Seven other players also joined the squad, bringing the total number of available players to 17. They are Bright Osayi-Samuel, Tolu Arokodare, Chibuike Nwaiwu, Samson Tijani, Tochukwu Nnadi, Francis Uzoho and Ademola Lookman.

The remaining seven invited players expected to join the camp are Bruno Onyemaechi, Abdullahi Bewene, Wilfred Ndidi, Fisayo Dele-Bashiru, Taiwo Awoniyi, Moses Usor and first-time invitee Mubarak Suleiman.

Nigeria will welcome Tanzania to Uyo on Friday before travelling to Dar es Salaam for the return fixture four days later.

The Super Eagles have accumulated three points from their opening two matches in Group L. They started their qualifying campaign with a 2-1 victory over Madagascar in Uyo but subsequently suffered a 3-0 defeat to Guinea-Bissau away from home.

Nigeria currently sit second in the group, behind Guinea-Bissau, and will need positive results in both encounters to improve their chances of qualifying for the tournament.

Tanzania, meanwhile, have already secured their place at the 2027 AFCON as one of the co-hosts, leaving just one additional qualification spot available in the group.

Continue Reading

Trending