By Yusuf Olatunji
Ogun state government says it has put proper governance structures is place to protect, preserve, conserve and manage water in the state so that it can be exploited in a very responsible manner.
Commissioner for Environment, Mr Ola Oresanya stated this during a water stakeholders strategic meeting as part of the fallout of the state's activities for World Water Day in Abeokuta
According to him, governance structure which involved the Ministry of Environment in charge of water policies and regulations,the Ministry of Special Duties overseeing production and distribution through the State Water Corporation and the Ministry of Rural Development ensuring its availability to the rural populace are all geared toward proper water conservation and management in the state.
Oresanya said since the state is blessed with fresh and underground water sources,the governance structure aside from ensuring proper water management also prevent function overlaps, rancour and guarantee peace in the state.
He therefore called for Catchment Area Preservation where the fresh and underground water can be recharged in a responsible manner saying that most of the Industries that penetrate through drilling of boreholes through extraction must recharge as these recharge zones are wetland which when not properly conserved will dry up.
Oresanya also underscored the importance of water Extraction Charges which is one of the policies for subsidy in water production which will allow every residents of the state to have access to water.
"Access to water means that those who are extracting water for commercial and industrial purposes must be able to subsidize those who don't have access to it so that it can be equitable, inclusive and sustainable" he added.
The Commissioner also announced the decision of the state government to capture and register all boreholes in the state with their geo-reference and the extraction capacity for their proper management through the proposed Water Regulatory Agency saying that what is not measurable is not manageable.
Welcoming the stakeholders that comprises Corporate Organisations, Commercial Outfits Academia,Investors, Drillers in the water sector to the forum earlier,the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Environment, Mr Olugbenga Sam Oyeleye urged them to cooperate with the state government for effective water exploitation, conservation and management so that the wet zones where they are exploiting are protected from unwholesome development which may lead to water shortages in the nearest future.
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