The Oyo State Government through the Sustainable Development Goals Office has constructed 15 motorized boreholes in some major markets in the state.
The State Commissioner for Finance and Budget, Mr. Abimbola Adekanmbi at the commissioning of one of the boreholes at Bodija Market, Ibadan, explained that the project was completed through the Conditional Grants Scheme, noting that the project is in line with achieving Goals 3 and 6 of the SDG which is Good Health and Clean Water Sanitation.
Adekanmbi, who is the also the Chairman of the Conditional Grants Scheme, said that the boreholes tagged Ajumose Water Points have been provided with a standby generator, stating that Bola Ige International Gbagi, Ibadan, Bembo Market, Apata, Ibadan, Eleeka Market, Oyo, Bodija Market, Ibadan Saasa Market, Ibadan and Towobowo Market, Igboora, the largest market in Ibarapa zone of the state, are some of the beneficiaries of the project.
He pointed out that two of the boreholes are located at Sabo Market, Ibadan, while Omi Adio Market, Apata, Ibadan, Obanisunwa Market, Ayete, Aaraada Market, Ogbomoso, Odo-Oba Market, Odo-Oba, Ogo-Oluwa, Oja Agbe Market, Iseyin, Olorunda Market, Iganna and Owode Market, Igboho have one each.
Speaking at the commissioning, the State Commissioner for Information, Culture and Tourism, Mr. Toye Arulogun said that the market men and women are integral parts of the government, promising that the government will provide more infrastructures for the people of the state.
He said that the informal sector is key to the increased IGR of the state, stating that more is expected from the market men and women to ensure that the government provides more facilities for the people.
In his address, the Special Adviser to Governor Abiola Ajimobi on SDG, Engineer Tope Fajana said that the Ajumose Water Points will go round all the markets in the state, stressing that the project is meant to ensure provision of clean and potable water to the citizenry of the state.
Engineer Fajana charged the committees entrusted with the management of the boreholes not to shy away from their responsibilities by taking care of the project which is aimed at ensuring smooth business activities in the communities.
He enjoined the communities and traders in the markets to make good use of the facilities, noting that SDG will not relent in its efforts to bring succor to the people of the state.
While speaking, the Babaloja of Bodija Market, Abattoir section, Alhaji Ganiyu Olobo expressed appreciation to the state government for the project which demonstrated government’s commitment to the traders and consequently assured that the borehole will be adequately used and managed by the people in the market.
Alhaji Olobo said that water is germane to their business and what the government has done will go a long way to ensure that people have access to clean potable water.
