Nigeria - The African Development Bank (ADB) has promised to engage Ekiti State for the next three years in provision of social amenities with particular reference to water provision. The Country Resident Representative, Mr. Ousmane Dore gave the assurance in Ado Ekiti after an inspection tour of Ero dam in Moba local government area of the state. A statement by the Chief Press Secretary to the Governor, Mr. Yinka Oyebode yesterday quoted Mr. Dore as lamenting the state of dilapidation at Ero dam, especially the power generating set, and attributed the decay to lack of proper maintenance of the dam despite the dam being a major source of water provision for the state.

While commending the state governor, Dr. Kayode Fayemi, for the conception of the 8 point agenda for the transformation of the state, the Bank Representative said this would enable interested partners know government's priority and attract attention to the state; stressing that poverty can only be tackled through good policy and strategy which would help provide 'the resources to fundamentally embark on transformational programmes'.

Dore added that African Development Bank is 'impressed' by the commitment of the state government in providing social amenities for its citizens and assured that the Bank would give a helping hand in water sanitation and rehabilitation of the dam which he described as 'worth pursuing'.

He stressed that the Bank will look at all the initiatives of the Fayemi-led administration and fashion out ways to tackle the challenges that the administration may face in actualising its transformational agenda.

In his remarks, the state governor, Dr. Kayode Fayemi commended the official of the Bank for taking 'pains' to visit the state and see the challenges and liabilities left behind by the previous administration; adding that his administration has no excuse not to tackle the challenges because government is a continuum.

The governor, who restated the resolve of his administration to make fundamental difference in the lives of Ekiti people, said a 2500 KVA power generating set has just been procured for Ero dam to ensure that citizens enjoy adequate supply of potable water; adding that the construction of the road to the dam has been awarded and work would soon begin there.

Fayemi said power generation, water supply, rural access to agricultural development and other MDGs constitute areas the administration would like to partner any development partner; saying that Ekiti people are highly expecting the administration to deliver on his promises.

The governor assured that he would leave no stone unturned to develop the state and make it rank among the best in the comity of states; stressing that since ADB is passionate about development, the state would be willing to partner with it to ensure a rapid development of the state.

Doyin Adebusuyi

Daily Trust/08/08/2011