Governor Aregbesola secures $65 million loan from Islamic Development Bank Governor Aregbesola secures $65 million loan from Islamic Development Bank

- Osun state has secured a $65 million loan from Islamic Development Bank (IDB)

- The loan is to be used to improve water supply in the state

- This was disclosed by the state governor, Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola

Osun state has secured a $65 million ( N19,890,000,000) loan from Islamic Development Bank (IDB) to be used to improve water supply in the state.

Governor Aregbesola has said he is approaching the Islamic Development Bank for a $65million loan

The money would be used for the construction of water treatment plant, 17 kilometres transmission line from Kajola to Ilesa, booster pumping station and three water reservoirs on the hill.

“The state will provide counterpart fund of about 40 million dollars for the construction of water distribution system and sanitation,” Channels TV quoted the the state’s senior consultant on water resources, Tawakalitu Williams, who represented the governor as saying.

The governor said: “Healthy living cannot be achieved without adequate access to potable water supply. It is in recognition of this that my administration embarked on the rehabilitation of water and sanitation facilities in urban, small towns and rural areas of the state.

“The state has secured a loan of $65 million from Islamic Development Bank for the construction of the treatment plant, 17 kilometres transmission line from Kajola to Ilesa, booster pumping station and three water reservoirs on the hill.

“The state will provide a counterpart fund of about $40 million for the construction of water distribution system and sanitation. The scheme will by the grace of almighty God, be commissioned by my administration before the end of 2018.

“This year’s theme: “Water and Wastewater” is also in line with the mandate of the six-point integral Action Plan of my administration to improve agricultural production to ensure food security in the state.”

World Water Day is celebrated annually on March 22 and focuses attention on the importance of universal access to clean water, sanitation and hygiene facilities in developing countries.

The day also focuses on advocating for sustainable management of freshwater resources.

NAIJ.com had reported that Aregbesola recently dimissed his critics over the state's debt burden, adding that it cannot be compared to what his government has achieved.

The governor made the declaration while declaring open a one day seminar organised for information officers in the state on Thursday, March 24.

Meanwhile, Osun state is set to dominate the supply of beef to larger markets in Oyo, Lagos and other parts of the south west of Nigeria.

This was revealed during a tour of Oloba Farm Settlement, Iwo where 1,500 hectares of land has been acquired, and a 78 hectares cattle ranch established for the fattening of cattles and goats.