*The Ogun State Government days it has put proper governance structures in place to protect, preserve, conserve and manage water in the state, so the resource can be exploited in a very responsible manner

Isola Moses | 绿帽献妻

The Ogun State Government (OGSG) says it has put proper governance structures in place to protect, preserve, conserve and manage water in the state, so the resource can be exploited in a very responsible manner.

Mr. Ola Oresanya, Ogun State Honourable Commissioner for Environment, stated this during a water stakeholders’ strategic meeting as part of the fallout of the state’s activities to commemorate the 2024 World Water Day, in Abeokuta, the state capital.

Cross-sections of participants in the stakeholders’ meeting in Abeokuta

Oresanya said the governance structure which involves the Ministry of Environment in charge of water policies and regulations, the Ministry of Special Duties overseeing production and distribution through the State Water Corporation, and the Ministry of Rural Development ensuring its availability to the rural populace, is geared toward proper water conservation and management across the state.

The Commissioner further stated since Ogun State is blessed with fresh and underground water sources, the governance structure aside from ensuring proper water management also prevents function overlaps, rancour and guarantee peace in the state.

He, therefore, called for Catchment Area Preservation where the fresh and underground water could be recharged in a responsible manner.

Most of the Industries that penetrate through drilling of boreholes through extraction must recharge as these recharge zones are wetland which when not properly conserved will dry up, said the Commissioner.

Oresanya as well underscored the importance of water Extraction Charges, which is one of the policies for subsidy in water production that will allow every residents of the state to have access to water.

He equally noted: “Access to water means that those who are extracting water for commercial and industrial purposes must be able to subsidise those who don’t have access to it so that it can be equitable, inclusive and sustainable.”

The Commissioner also announced the decision of the state government to capture and register all boreholes in the state with their geo-reference and the extraction capacity for their proper management through the proposed Water Regulatory Agency saying that what is not measurable is not manageable.

Welcoming the stakeholders that comprise corporate organisations, commercial outfits, academia, investors, and drillers in the water sector to the forum earlier, Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Environment, Mr. Olugbenga Sam Oyeleye, urged them to cooperate with the state government for effective water exploitation, conservation and management so that the wet zones where they are exploiting are protected from unwholesome development which may lead to water shortages in the nearest future.