No plans to abandon Ilesa water project, says Osun Assembly Speaker

Mr Timothy Owoeye, Speaker of Osun House of Assembly, has debunked a report which alleged that an ongoing water project in Ilesa has been abandoned by the state government.

Owoeye, in a statement on Wednesday in Osogbo, said the write-up, entitled: “Settling political scores through People’s basic need in Ijeshaland”, his constituency, is filled with unsubstantiated claims.

“The attention of the Office of the Speaker has been brought to a write-up titled Settling Political Scores through People’s Basic Need in Ijeshaland” that is being circulated online.

“The Office of the Speaker would have disregarded the report but it will not be appropriate to allow the misinformation to sink in the minds of our good people of Osun.”

“The said piece with the headline, “Ilesa water project is about to be abandoned like all the previous government projects”, looks faceless, not signed and filled with unsubstantiated allegations”, Owoeye said.

He said the author of the story should have asked questions if he or she was in doubt instead of spreading ‘false’ information.

“The 7th Assembly, presided over by Timothy Owoeye, is one that is overseeing the performance and expenditure of the Executive based on the interest of the people.”

“It is an indirect way of compelling the executive to be answerable to the citizens.”

“The 7th Assembly has continually been engaging the Commissioner for Water Resources, Dr Amidu Tadese, and the Chief Consultant of the water project in Ilesa, Mrs Tawa Williams”, Owoeye said.

The Speaker said he was very passionate about the water project, adding that he would do his best to ensure that the project was completed.

“The House of Assembly Committee on Water Resources, headed by Mr Babatunde Olateju, in its oversight function, had paid several visits to the Ilesa water project,” he said.

According to him, the Assembly knows that all project’s components are almost completed except the treatment plants in Kajola, which was affected by mining activities in Ijesaland and COVID-19 pandemic.

“My candid advice for us all is that we should rally round this present administration in ensuring that more development is brought to the state,” the Speaker said.