Kogi Assembly lauds Govt. efforts on water provision, calls for adequate funding
Kogi State House of Assembly has commended Governor Yahaya Bello for his efforts at ensuring provision of clean drinking water for the people of the state both at the rural and urban centres.
The Chairman, House Standing Committee on Water Resources, Honourable Bin Ebeiya Shehu Tijani, who gave the commendation on Monday, also appealed to the State Government to strengthen and provide adequate funds to the Ministry of Water Resources and other relevant agencies .
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To curb the hardships usually encountered by residents occasioned by failure of equipments and shortage of accessories and chemicals, the committee Chairman pleaded with the Governor to ensure adequate distribution of clean water to all parts of the state capital and in deed the entire state.
Hon Shehu Tijani in his remarks during the inauguration of the Standing Committee of the House on water resources held at the chamber of the Assembly, noted that the usual cause of constant shortage of water in the state is insufficient fund to the Ministry and agencies.
The lawmaker said that apart from making laws for the good governance of the state, he promised that the committee will perform other mandatory functions as representation and over-sighting the ministry of Water Resources and other relevant agencies.
” It is on this note that the Assembly constituted the Committee to handle all matters within its jurisdiction, most importantly of it all, is the committee’s constitutional responsibility of improving the policies on how on how they can improve the life of people in the state.
“To carry out these duties, the legislature employs tools such as the Committee system for effective delivery. Through this system, the House performs specific functions such as scrutinizing bills, controlling Government expenditure and monitoring Government performance and to overhaul access to water at both rural and urban communities.
” It is my plea to Kogi State Government to make access to safe water its top priority by increasing the budget allocating to Water Resource Ministry and its Agencies”. The Chairman stated
He informed the stakeholders that the committee inherited numerous complaints from its predecessor which bothers on water distribution to various parts of the state, particularly the state capital, Lokoja.
The Committee therefore assures the people of the state that it will ensure that the issues are well attended to through its oversight functions.
“Water is life” they say, if truly that is the case, then the Committee must do all that is necessary to save lives by ensuring there is adequate provision of water for the people of the state.
“On behalf of this committee, we promise to be diligent, effective and efficient in carrying out this noble assignment.
” We shall therefore strive to sustain the integrity of the Kogi State House of Assembly and operate within the limits of the Law. We shall also be free, fair and just to all and would operate without fear or favour,” he said.
While calling for the co-operation and collaboration of stakeholders with the committee, as it begins its assignment, the Chairman also seeks quick response to all invitation that may be sent to them for any reason and also endeavour to receive them whenever the Committee finds it expedient.
He therefore urged all the officials to imbibe the spirit of transparency and accountability always in the implementation of government policies and programs on Water Resources.
The committee was inaugurated by the Speaker of the Kogi state House of Assembly who was represented by the Deputy Speaker, Hon.Paul Elema and witnessed by top government officials.
The Commissioner of Water Resources, Hon. Abdulmumuni Danga , GM RUWASA, heads of relevant agencies, officials of National Inland Water Authority, (NIWA) and the Navy were all in attendance.
