20 Cross River communities to get water after 2 decades
Fayose warns sand excavators
The Ekiti State Governor, Ayodele Fayose, has warned those excavating sand from Afao Ekiti, his home town, to desist or face the wrath of the law.
He said the ban became imperative to control environmental degradation in the town.
The governor spoke on Saturday during the Afao unity celebrations 2014 and fund raising where he lamented alleged neglect of the town by successive governments.
He said: “God has placed me in a position of authority to better the lot of my people. I have directed the police to prosecute anyone caught packing sand from Afao. I enjoin all of you, including those making money from packing sand from this town, to look in another direction.
“Afao roads are worse today as a result of the activities of sand excavators. They should look for somewhere else to pack sand. We cannot allow environmental degradation in our town because of the interest of the few. Those offended should consider the overriding public interest.”
Fayose said the reign of the traditional ruler of the town, the Alafao, Oba J.A Ademilua, had been peaceful and blissful for the town.
He said: “The mandate I have is to continue to support you and exhort your stool as Alafao of Afao. As long as I am alive I will continue to keep the honour of this stool respected, honoured and dignified. I enjoin every child of Afao at home and abroad to support our king and town.”
The governor promised to renovate the health centre and construct good roads for the people. Succour may have finally come the way of about 20 communities in Cross River State that were unable to access potable water for several years as the state government has signed a contract for the construction and extension of water production and distribution system for them.
Deputy governor of the state Mr. Efiok Cobham announced that the water projects to be sited in Obubra Local Government Area will cost the state N3.9 billion.
Efiok said the contract will be executed by C.G.C Nigeria Limited and would be completed in 18 months.
He explained that the contract was the last phase of the present administration’s target on water supply for the people of the state, adding that upon completion, the state would meet the Millennium Development Goal (MDG) target for water.
Commissioner for Water Resources Mr. Elemi Etowa said the water project would service a population of over 1,056 people, as well as cover over 6,000 households and would also have provision for 120 water kiosks.