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Kwara Commissioner’s False Claim On Lafiagi Waterworks As Generator Fails, Pump Malfunctions During Govt Visit
During an official inspection by a government delegation sent through the Ministry of Water Resources, the generator meant to pump water reportedly failed to start for over hours.
Ilorin, Kwara State– Fresh controversy has trailed the Kwara State Commissioner for Water Resources, Usman Yunusa Lade, over his January claim that the Lafiagi Waterworks project had been completed.
During an official inspection by a government delegation sent through the Ministry of Water Resources, the generator meant to pump water reportedly failed to start for over hours.
A video obtained by Afrika Eyes shows the delegates struggling to power the generator, raising serious questions about the integrity of the Commissioner’s earlier statement.
Residents of Lafiagi expressed frustration that, despite government assurances that the waterworks is completed, one of the main submersible pumps at the facility is still not working.
They also questioned why water pumped from the site for nearly six hours failed to reach the main reservoir, leaving many communities without supply.
This development follows public outcry earlier, when the Commissioner allegedly ordered the arrest and persecution of NupekoTV publisher, Tauheed Baruwa Muhammed, after he criticised the Lade over the incomplete waterworks project.
Muhammed was later sent to prison for questioning Lade’s claims of completion.
The situation has once again fueled anger among residents, who accuse the Lade of misleading the public about the readiness of the project.
Community members are now demanding transparency and an independent investigation into the true status of the Lafiagi Waterworks to ensure accountability in the management of public funds.
Meanwhile, the Lafiagi Emirate Youth Transparency Association (LEYTA) has refuted claims that the Lafiagi Waterworks is currently functional, insisting that residents of the town have no access to water despite reports suggesting otherwise.
In a press statement issued on Saturday, the association said findings from its monitoring visit to the waterworks revealed serious operational failures, including a malfunctioning submersible pump and unresolved reticulation problems.
According to LEYTA, only three out of the four critical submersible pumps at the facility are functional, while one remains out of service — a situation that has greatly reduced the plant’s capacity to pump water efficiently.
“Despite pumping continuously for almost six hours, the volume of water generated could not reach the reservoir that serves the Lafiagi community,” the group stated.
The association further disclosed that several parts of the water distribution network are affected by reticulation issues, which prevent the limited supply from reaching households. The monitoring team, LEYTA noted, has pledged to send materials needed to address the problem promptly.
LEYTA emphasised that the water currently pumped remains insufficient to sustain distribution to the community and called on the Kwara State Government, led by Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq, to urgently intervene.
The group urged the government to restore the faulty submersible pump, fix the reticulation network, and ensure the people of Lafiagi have regular access to clean and potable water.
“We remain committed to advocating for the welfare of the Lafiagi people and trust that these pressing issues will be swiftly addressed to improve the quality of life for all residents,” the statement added.
In January 20225, Lade, dropped the hint during the week, State Inter-Ministrial Press briefing, held at Ministry of Finance Conference Room.
The Commissioner disclosed that Irra and Erin-Ile Waterworks have been completely rehabilitated, while the desilted Sobi Waterworks rehabilitation project is ongoing.
Lade stressed that “Lafiagi and Zambufu Waterworks have also been completed and people of the communities have started accessing potable water supply.
He reiterated that Asa-Dam and Agba-Dam treatment plants have been significantly upgraded to enhance the quality water supply and distribution within Ilorin metropolis.
“The State Government has equally handed over the Otte-Oja/Budo Egba and Omu-Aran Waterworks in Asa and Oyun Local Government Areas to contractors, for reconstruction and rehabilitation respectively. Be that as it may, several hand and motorised boreholes have also been drilled across the state, to further enhance water supply to the people,” he added.