The Ora Water Scheme refers to a water supply infrastructure project, notably in Osun State, Nigeria, specifically the Ora-Igbomina Water Scheme located in Ifedayo Local Government. There might be other “Ora Water Schemes” in other regions, but the most prominent recent discussions refer to this one.
1. Background and Purpose:
- The Ora-Igbomina Water Scheme was originally constructed and commissioned by a past administration (Governor Olagunsoye Oyinlola) to provide potable water to Ora-Igbomina and Oke-Ila communities.
- Over time, the scheme became dilapidated and moribund, failing to serve its intended purpose.
- The rehabilitation aims to resuscitate this scheme to ensure access to safe drinking water for the residents, which is a key priority for the current state government.
2. Current Status and Responsibility:
- Governor Ademola Adeleke of Osun State has made the resuscitation of the Ora-Igbomina Water Scheme a priority, aligning with his campaign promises for potable water provision across the state.
- The Commissioner for Water Resources, Hon. Sunday Oroniyi, and the Special Adviser on Small Town, Water Supply and Sanitation (STOWASSA), Princess Oyeboade Oyewale Afolabi, have been actively involved in on-the-spot inspections of the scheme to assess its condition.
- The state government has reportedly approved a contract for the rehabilitation of the Ora-Igbomina waterworks at a sum of One billion, three hundred million Naira.
3. Challenges: The challenges facing water scheme rehabilitations in Nigeria, including potentially the Ora Water Scheme, are multifaceted and include:
- Dilapidated Infrastructure: The existing infrastructure is often old and in disrepair, requiring extensive overhahaul. In the case of Ora-Igbomina, all buildings were dilapidated and equipment had been auctioned off by a previous administration.
- Funding and Financial Resources: While a contract has been approved, securing and consistently releasing adequate funds remains a common challenge for such large-scale projects.
- Management and Maintenance: Past mismanagement and abandonment have been highlighted as reasons for the scheme’s previous failure. Sustainable operation and maintenance plans are crucial for long-term success.
- Lack of Skilled Personnel: There can be a shortage of skilled and experienced personnel for effective operation and maintenance.
- Population Growth and Urbanization: Rapid population increase puts immense pressure on existing and rehabilitated water infrastructure.
- Illegal Connections and Water Losses: Issues like illegal connections and leakages from aging pipe networks contribute to water loss and inefficient distribution.
- Community Engagement: Ensuring community participation and addressing their perceptions and willingness to adopt sustainable practices are vital for project success.
- Political Will and Consistency: Inconsistent political commitment across different administrations can lead to project abandonment or poor maintenance.
4. Funding and Partnerships: While the Osun State government has allocated funds, water projects in Nigeria often involve partnerships and funding from various sources, including:
- State and Federal Governments: Primary responsibility and funding often come from government budgets.
- International Organizations: Bodies like the World Bank, African Development Bank (AfDB), USAID, UN, WHO, and others provide grants and loans for water and sanitation projects.
- Private Sector: Private sector involvement, sometimes through Public-Private Partnerships (PPPs), is increasingly being explored.
- Non-Governmental Organizations (NGOs): Organizations like WaterAid Nigeria also partner with governments on waterworks rehabilitation.
The rehabilitation of the Ora Water Scheme is a crucial step towards improving access to potable water for the affected communities in Osun State, but its long-term success will depend on sustained political commitment, effective management, adequate funding, and community involvement.