by Ajadi Daniel
The three water projects were constructed to boost water supply to the residents of the state across the three senatorial districts, at the cost of N2.2bn, it was donated by four members of the House of Representatives from Osun states.
But unfortunately the projects are moribund and are not functioning in spite of the huge sum of monies invested in the project.
The projects were situated in Ipetu Ijesha, Ila Orangun and Ife Odan. The Law makers who funded the projects are Mrs Ayo Omidira representing Ayedaade/Irewole/Isokan federal constituency; Yinka Ajayi representing Boripe/Ifelodun/Odo Otin federal constituency; Akintayo Amere representing Ayedire/Iwo/Ola-Oluwa federal constituency, Ajibola Famurewa representing Atakunmosa east/Akunmosa west/ Ilesha East/Ilesha West.
One of the Law makers speaking on behalf of her colleagues expressed disappointment at the state of the projects.
According to her, “It is regrettable and disheartening to know and see that projects such as these have not been working and serving the people for which they were implemented.
“These projects were unanimously handed over to the Osun Water Corporation. After the inauguration, the corporation did not complain then that some of the pumping machines were not in good condition but now they have started to put up flimsy excuses.
“The water corporation also failed to inform us about the challenges they faced. They didn’t tell us that power and diesel had been their problems.
“If not that we were informed by the constituents, we might not know. We put the blame on the corporation because it is our belief that the projects have been handed over to the appropriate authorities and, as such, if there is any shortcoming, the corporation is in the best position to keep us updated.
“So, if the state water corporation actually wants to complement our efforts in realizing that the projects serve their purposes, we should have been briefed on the challenges long before now.”
The lawmaker said the case would be reported to Governor Rauf Aregbesola, she claimed that the management of the corporation failed in their duty to do proper checks before the projects were received from the contractors.
According to punch newspaper, Micheal Elusakin, the engineer in charge of Ipetu Ijesha mini water works; his colleague in charge of Ila mini water works, Ayantayo Oseni, and Kayode Fatile, who is in charge of Ife Odan mini water works, blamed the inability of the projects to work on erratic power supply.
Punch also reported that an engineer, who represented the Ogun-Osun River Basin Development Authority, Iyiola Rufus, said the projects were handed over to the Osun State Water Corporation fully completed without any complaint raised.