The Ekiti State Government is expected to generate N5 billion per annum as water rates under its new initiative to lease out dams in the state to private investors.

Governor Segun Oni, who made this known during a meeting with religious leader, traditional rulers and other stakeholders in the State, assured that money realized from the process would be invested in other parts of the water sector to extend water pipelines to new area in the state.

Oni also assured that all the 1770 water fetching points spread across the 177 wards in the state would be made functional by the end of March next year, while Ado would be connected to a new water pipeline from Ero dam to complement water from the newly expanded Ureje Dam.

He said the leasing of the water production facilities would ensure adequate supply of water to all parts of the state, adding that his administration had in the last 15 months made tremendous efforts to increase water production in the state.

He assured that his administration would not retrench staff of the State water production in the state.

He assured that his administration would not retrench staff of the State Water Corporation, and they would be predominantly involved in the quality control as well as the water distribution and the supervision of the collection of water rates.

Governor Oni who highlighted efforts of the government to enhance the supply of water to include; construction of several water treatment plants, water fetching points, and booster stations, debunked rumours that the Water Corporation was being privatized.

He announced that the booster station at Ayetoro would be re-inforced to ensure adequate water supply to Ijero adding that efforts are on to link up all major water pipelines in the state into a state wide grid under which water can be diverted when there are disruptions in any of the production facilities.

Oni solicited the support of religious leaders in the state adding that it was only individuals and corporate bodies that have their buildings connected to public water mains that would pay for water while water at public taps and water fetching points are free.