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The Kwara State Government has highlighted ongoing reforms and infrastructure upgrades in the Water, Sanitation and Irrigation sector, detailing a series of completed and ongoing projects across multiple communities in the state.
Speaking during an interview on Midland FM (Radio Kwara), the Commissioner for Water Resources, Usman Yunusa Lade, said the state has carried out rehabilitation and reconstruction of water facilities in several locations including Zambufu, Alapa, Agbeyangi, Otte, Budo-Egba, Oyun, Ajase-Ipo, Ijagbo, Omu-Aran and Gada-Woro.
He noted that while public demand for 24-hour water supply continues, water production remains dependent on stable electricity supply, a challenge he described as nationwide. According to him, the state has responded by adopting modular and integrated solar-powered water systems in select communities to improve reliability and reduce energy costs.
The Commissioner also explained that ongoing expansion of pipeline networks is complementing water infrastructure upgrades, with recent reticulation projects completed in Jebba, Ajase-Ipo, Omu-Aran, Gada-Woro and Ilorin.
He further referenced the state’s 30-year Water, Sanitation and Investment Master Plan, developed in partnership with the African Development Bank, describing it as a long-term framework guiding sector investments and expansion.
On sanitation, he said a statewide baseline survey conducted across all 193 wards in partnership with UNICEF Nigeria is currently guiding efforts to achieve Open Defecation Free (ODF) status across all local government areas. He added that these interventions have contributed to reducing water-related disease outbreaks, including cholera, to minimal levels.
He also stated that Kwara remains largely self-funded in its ODF programme, with limited external support, according to the National Clean Nigeria Campaign Office.
In the irrigation sector, he highlighted the ongoing reconstruction and expansion of the Duku Lade Irrigation Scheme in Patigi Local Government Area, covering about 3,000 hectares of farmland. The project, he said, is being supported in part through the Sustainable Power and Irrigation for Nigeria (SPIN) initiative under the World Bank, and is aimed at boosting year-round agricultural production and improving food security.
The Commissioner said the administration of Governor Mallam AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq has continued to prioritize investments in water supply, sanitation systems and irrigation infrastructure since 2019, noting that ongoing projects are designed to expand access and improve service delivery across the state.
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