The Executive chairman of Oluyole local government, Engr. Akeem Olatunji, last Friday hosted the chairman of the Rural Water Supply and Sanitation Agency (RUWASSA), Alhaji Babalola Afobaje, in his office at the Council secretariat, Idi-Ayunre.
The meeting centered around fostering mutual collaboration and deepening of synergy between the LG and the Agency in order to engender an improved sanitation practice in Oluyole LG.
Olatunji, who reiterated his desires to ensure Oluyole LG fully keyed into ongoing environmental sanitation project of the state government under various MDAs, also advocated for the provision of clean water to residents of the council.
The Council boss equally stated that the agency should prioritize local government areas that are predominantly occupied by rural dwellers in its plan in terms of provision of public toilets and access to clean water.
He explained that such social amenities would prevent needless spread of diseases and epidemic emanating from open defecation which he noted has become one of the main challenges in maintaining a clean environment at the grassroots.
While expressing confidence in the new leadership of the agency, Olatunji described Alhaji Afobaje as a man of vast experience in public administration and understanding of local peculiarities across various local government areas in the state.
He emphasized the need for collaborative efforts to ensure the well-being of the people at the grassroots are met in terms of public health and healthy environment while stressing the need for exploring sustainable solutions to enhance sanitation practices and augment the availability of clean water to residents.
Olatunji listed some specific initiatives aimed at achieving the mandate of the agency to include the rehabilitation of existing water facilities, the construction of new boreholes, and the promotion of hygiene education programs within the LG.
Olatunji however, commended Alhaji Afobaje for his proactive approach towards his new role and leading a delegation of top officials of the agency to his office at the LG secretariat describing his appointment by the governor as a round peg in a round hole, assuring that his office would work closely with RUWASSA towards the actualization of a clean and green environment.
He therefore, called on stakeholders from various sectors to collaborate effectively with the local government in tackling the challenges of inadequate access to clean water supply as well as hygienic sanitation practice.
“In any environment, we all know health is wealth and with what is going on in RUWASSA, it means Governor Seyi Makinde not only understands the challenges of poor citizens but also how to address them.
“By collaborating effectively with Oluyole local government in the provision of modern boreholes and public toilets to communities, money spent in going to the hospitals would be kept and channelled to other good use thereby, improving on household finances and economy.
“To me, it’s a win win situation for all parties and that’s why we want to focus on these areas of mutual collaboration and synergy with RUWASSA in order to deliver on our mandate to the good people of Oluyole and I have full confidence in Alhaji Afobaje to lead the agency to greater heights.” Olatunji said.