World Bank , Ekiti To Rehabilitate N 3.7bn Ero Dam Project

By Israel Babalola - November 23, 2018

Fresh facts emerged on Friday that plans have been concluded by the World Bank and Ekiti State Government to commence rehabilitation work on Ero Dam.

The N 3 . 7 billion worth project on the largest water supply dam in Ekiti State is expected to help the state address its water challenges as well as curb open defecation .

Dr Khairy Al - Jamal who led the World Bank’ s team on the 3 rd Urban National Water Sector Reform Project stated this in a meeting with Governor Kayode Fayemi in Ado Ekiti.
Al - Jamal who noted that the project would have started in 2014 shortly before Dr Fayemi left office , said the immediate past administration did nothing on the award of the project to a contractor.

This was contained in a statement by the Chief Press Secretary to the Governor , Mr Olayinka Oyebode .

He stated that there was no preparation or feasibility study which could have helped the bank forge ahead with its aid for the state on the rehabilitation of the treatment plant at the dam as well as transmission pipes transporting water from Ero Dam via Ifaki -Iworoko to Ado Ekiti and other communities .

Al - Jamal stressed that the World Bank “cannot afford to stop or slow down on the project” because it is expected to be completed by June 2020 ; saying that the bank is keen on giving Ekiti people access to potable water supply.

He congratulated Governor Fayemi on his re-election; saying that Ekiti people trusted that the governor had the capacity to deliver on his people - oriented programmes .
Responding , Governor Fayemi urged the bank to expedite action on the rehabilitation of the dam , adding that the state government would provide necessary support to the Bank to ensure that the 18 - month completion date for the project is met.

The Governor who noted that water is a major issue in Ekiti State , said Ero dam had underperformed despite having the capacity to supply “the bulk of Ekiti State ”.

He said the support of the World Bank on the rehabilitation work would not only help his administration achieve its agenda for the sector but also help in actualizing the Sustainable Development Goals ( SDGs) .

Fayemi said if government failed to provide potable water for the teeming population , it would encourage indiscriminate digging of bore holes with attendant negative impact on the environment .