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The Oyo State Government, through the Sustainable Development Goals Office, has constructed 15 motorised 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 directed towards achieving Good Health and Clean Water Sanitation, which are respectively Goals 3 and 6 of the SDG.
Adekanmbi, who is the Chairman of the Conditional Grants Scheme, through which the projects were completed, said that the boreholes tagged Ajumose Water Points have been provided with standby generators.
Beneficiaries of the projects include 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.
Adekanmbi 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 infrastructure 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.
Engineer Fajana charged the committees entrusted with the management of the boreholes to be diligent in their duties as it would ensure smooth business activities in the communities. He enjoined the communities and traders in the markets to make good use of the facilities.
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.