RELIEF IN EDO AS GOV OKPEBHOLO REVIVES LONG-ABANDONED UGBOHA WATER PROJECT

Edo State Governor, Senator Monday Okpebholo, has flagged off the revitalisation of the long-neglected Ugboha Water Supply Scheme in Edo Central, marking a decisive move to tackle water scarcity and rejuvenate public infrastructure across the state.

The revival of the Ugboha Water Project is the first step in a wider plan to resuscitate critical water supply systems across the state’s three senatorial districts.

Speaking during an inspection, the Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of the Edo State Urban Water Corporation, Hon. Uyi Ekhosuehi, disclosed that upon assumption of office two months ago, his first assignment was a needs assessment of the moribund Ugboha facility a community that had been without public water for years due to the total collapse of its dam and treatment plant after prolonged neglect, vandalism, and the use of substandard materials.

“What we found was deeply disturbing,” Ekhosuehi revealed. “The dam was non-functional, the treatment plant abandoned, and the water lines failed because of poor-quality pipes. A dangerous mix of ductile iron and PVC pipes led to widespread leakages and total system failure.”

He noted that recognising the urgency, Governor Okpebholo immediately approved the procurement of durable, industry-standard replacement pipes, with excavation work for their installation already underway.

“The governor made it clear that Ugboha cannot be the host community of this project and still lack access to water. His prompt directive is what brought us to this point,” Ekhosuehi stated.

He further revealed that beyond restoring the existing system, the government plans to upscale the project’s capacity. While the Ugboha River currently produces just 3 million litres of water per day, it has the capacity to generate 30 million litres daily, a projection the administration is working towards to meet the water needs of the entire Esan region.

The initiative has been met with widespread relief and jubilation among residents. Speaking on behalf of the community, Elder Abanokha Stephen, Chairman of the Ugboha Water Consumers Association, praised the government’s swift action and transparency.

“When this project was first executed years ago, we had water briefly, but poor materials doomed the system. We’ve protested and appealed for years. For the first time, we are seeing decisive government action,” Elder Stephen said.

He expressed hope that the intervention would not only restore water to Ugboha but also extend to surrounding Esan communities, offering safe, reliable water to thousands of residents.

At the community market square, the inspection team was welcomed by an enthusiastic crowd of women, youths, and elders, who gathered to celebrate the project’s revival, a testament to the significance of water access to the daily lives of rural dwellers.

The Ugboha water project is a key part of Governor Okpebholo’s broader commitment to restoring basic public utilities across Edo State. His administration has reiterated its resolve to focus not only on headline infrastructure but also on vital community-based services that directly impact quality of life.

With the Ugboha initiative now underway, several other moribund water schemes across Edo are expected to be activated in the coming months, signalling a new era of responsive governance and infrastructural renewal under the Okpebholo administration.