By joshua IPAC Wants Gov. Ododo to Declare State of Emergency on Water Supply in Kogi State
The Inter-Party Advisory Council (IPAC), the umbrella body of all political parties in Nigeria, Kogi State Chapter, has turned its attention to the poor state of water supply across the state, particularly in Lokoja.
The Commissioner for Water Resources, Alhaji Yahaya Farouk, bears a major responsibility in restoring water supply to the people of Lokoja. Residents of the city continue to look up to him to fulfill this critical duty before the end of his tenure, as this achievement would serve as a lasting legacy worthy of recognition.
Through our findings and public interactions, IPAC has discovered that one of the most pressing challenges facing Lokoja metropolis today is the lack of regular water supply. This issue has tarnished the image of the present administration. Considering that Lokoja once enjoyed steady water supply in almost every household, there is no justification for the continued hardship experienced by residents living at the seat of government.
IPAC is therefore using this platform to call on the Commissioner for Water Resources, Alhaji Yahaya Farouk, and pledges its full support and partnership in advocating for a permanent solution. Our intention is to bring relief to the poorest members of society who cannot afford to sink boreholes in their homes.
This declaration of a state of emergency on water supply is based on the collective demands of the general public. It has been further strengthened by the recent visit of representatives from the Yoruba, Igbo, and Hausa communities, who requested that IPAC use its influence as a unified voice of all political parties to appeal to the Governor, under the All Progressives Congress (APC), to demonstrate leadership and competence in resolving the water crisis in Lokoja.
It is ironic that a city located at the confluence of the Rivers Niger and Benue, surrounded by water, should still be suffering from water scarcity. This situation is unacceptable. IPAC therefore calls on all stakeholders involved in the rehabilitation of the Lokoja Water Works to wake up and act immediately. Water is life, and the persistent silence on this issue can no longer continue.
We acknowledge that His Excellency, Governor Alhaji Ahmed Usman Ododo, as the Chief Servant of Kogi State, is committed to easing the suffering of the people, especially in critical areas such as water supply. We therefore urge him to also declare a state of emergency on this project and prioritize it in the next budget, if not already included, as one of the state’s major projects in the 2026 fiscal year.
Signed
Iliyas Badanga
IPAC Chairman, Kogi State.