Communiqué for Water Justice

From the Nigerian Blue Community Peace Point Development Foundation PPDF:

Last week, PPDF in partnership with the Blue Community Africa, went to the Ayetoro Community in the Ilaje Local Government Area of Ondo State, Nigeria, for a Water Justice Campaign tagged, “Building Resilience for Water Justice” (see here).

COMMUNIQUÉ Issued at the end of the “Building Resilience for Water Justice Program”.

Held in Ayetoro, Ilaje LGA, Ondo State, Nigeria, on Thursday, 7th August, 2026.
Organized by: Peace Point Development Foundation in partnership with Blue Community-Africa.

Theme: “Water Justice in Ilaje: Accountability from Ondo State, Ministry of Regional development & NDDC”

PREAMBLE

Stakeholders, the Community king, youths, women, and Peace point development foundation NGO gathered in Ayetoro for the Building Resilience for Water Justice Program.
Convened by Peace Point Development Foundation, the program assessed the water and coastal crisis in Ilaje LGA and demanded accountability from Ondo State Government, Ilaje Local Government Area, Ministry of Regional development, and NDDC.

Participants affirmed that access to safe water is a constitutional right, a justice issue, and a public service.

OBSERVATIONS

Participants observed that:

Water Crisis Across Ilaje: Communities in Ilaje LGA, including Ayetoro, and other coastal settlements, lack access to safe and affordable water. Schools, health centers, and businesses depend on sachet water and unsafe sources.
State Budget Gap: In the 2025 budget of Ondo State Water Corporation, ₦30,000,000 was released and ₦27,900,000 reportedly spent, yet there is no visible water project in Ayetoro or other Ilaje communities.
LGA Allocation and Budget for Each Community in Ilaje: Participants expressed concern that Ilaje Local Government Area receives statutory allocations, but there is no public disclosure or breakdown of budget for each community in Ilaje. The absence of transparency on how much is allocated and spent per community on water, health, and infrastructure has led to unequal development and neglect of coastal communities.
Federal Commitment: The 2026 budget of the Ministry of Regional development captured ₦91,380,000 for the Ayetoro Embankment project to address coastal erosion.
NDDC Performance Gap: Despite NDDC’s mandate and huge federal allocations, Ilaje communities have received minimal water supply and coastal protection interventions.
Climate Impact: Coastal erosion, flooding, and salt water intrusion continue to destroy homes and contaminate water sources across Ilaje.

RESOLUTIONS / DEMANDS

To ensure water justice and resilience in Ilaje, we demand:

A. ONDO STATE GOVERNMENT
1. Account for the ₦27.9 million spent in 2025 by Ondo State Water Corporation and publish project locations in Ilaje LGA.
2. Prioritize immediate water supply projects in Ayetoro and other underserved Ilaje communities in the 2027 budget.

B. ILAJE LOCAL GOVERNMENT AREA
3. Publish LGA Allocation and Budget for Each Community in Ilaje: Immediately release a public report showing total allocation received by Ilaje LGA and detailed budget expenditure for each community in Ilaje LGA from January 2025 to date, with specific line items for water, health, and infrastructure.
4. Equitable Distribution: Ensure LGA funds are fairly and transparently distributed to all communities, with priority to coastal and vulnerable communities.
5. Constitute Community Project Monitoring Committees in each community with traditional rulers, religious leaders,youth, women, and CSOs to track LGA projects and budgets.

C. MINISTRY OF REGIONAL DEVELOPMENT
6. Ensure immediate and transparent implementation of the ₦91.38 million Ayetoro Embankment project in the 2026 budget.
7. Involve Ilaje community leaders in procurement and monitoring of federal projects.

D. NIGER DELTA DEVELOPMENT COMMISSION – NDDC
8. Prioritize Ilaje LGA for water schemes, solar-powered boreholes, and coastal protection projects.
9. Collaborate with Ondo State and Ilaje LGA to harmonize projects and avoid duplication.

E. GENERAL
10. Treat water as a constitutional responsibility at State, LGA, and Federal levels.
11. Institutionalize open budget reporting for all tiers to enable citizens to track funds from allocation to implementation in every community.

ROYAL & TECHNICAL REMARKS

1. His Royal Highness Oba Oluwambe Ojagbohunmi (JP), the OGELOYINBO of Ayetoro, lamented the non-availability of potable water and stated that he buys sachet water for drinking.
2. Idongesit Essien, in the technical session, stated that access to water is:
– A constitutional responsibility
– A justice issue
– A development issue
– A public service
He stressed that government must deliver.

APPRECIATION

Participants appreciated Peace Point Development Foundation for convening the program.
Special appreciation to HRH Oba Oluwambe Ojagbohunmi (JP), Umo Isua, and Idongesit Essien.

CONCLUSION

We call on Ondo State Government, Ilaje LGA, Ministry of Regional development , and NDDC to act urgently.
The people of ilaje deserve to see State budgets, LGA allocations with budget breakdown for each community, and Federal funds translate into clean water and protected coastlines.