By joshua CPI ADVOCATES RESILIENT WATER INFRASTRUCTURE FOR GANAJA AS RUWASSA URGES BUDGETARY PROVISION
The Challenge Parenthood Initiative, CPI, has called on the Kogi State Government to prioritize resilient potable water infrastructure for Ganaja community as part of disaster preparedness efforts, citing the community’s recurring water challenges during flooding.
The call was made on Wednesday, 5th August, 2026, during an advocacy visit by CPI to the Kogi State Rural Water Supply and Sanitation Agency, RUWASSA, in Lokoja. The visit was to formally present the Ganaja Charter of Demands and seek improved access to safe water in the flood-prone community.
Receiving the delegation on behalf of the General Manager, the Director of Administration, Mr. Benjamin Egbunu, welcomed the team and introduced the purpose of the visit to agency officials.
Presenting the Charter, the Executive Director of CPI, Eunice Abimbola Agbogun, gave an overview with emphasis on the priorities of the Portable Water Working Group. She highlighted the difficulties residents of Ganaja face each flood season and stressed that pipe-borne water infrastructure resilient to disasters is critical to community safety and recovery.
The Chairman of the Portable Water Working Group, Mr. Mohammed Abubakar, in his remarks, appealed to RUWASSA and the state government to act urgently on three key areas. He requested the installation of motorised, solar-powered boreholes at identified locations in Ganaja; adequate budgetary provisions to ensure the long-term sustainability of water projects; and stronger collaboration among government institutions, development partners, and stakeholders to guarantee transparent implementation and effective monitoring of potable water supply in the area.
In response, Mr. Egbunu acknowledged the water challenges in Ganaja and noted that RUWASSA operates within the limits of state government budgetary allocations. He advised CPI to formally channel its request through RUWASSA to the Governor to facilitate consideration for inclusion in the 2027 state budget.
The Executive Director of CPI said the visit marked the formal introduction of the organization to RUWASSA and the beginning of official engagement, given that the provision of safe rural water falls directly under the agency’s mandate.
She commended the Director of Administration for his guidance and reaffirmed CPI’s commitment to sustained advocacy to strengthen disaster preparedness and improve access to safe and resilient potable water infrastructure for Ganaja residents.
The Ganaja community in Lokoja metropolis is one of the areas most affected by flooding annually, often leaving residents without access to clean water for weeks.