Alltimepost.com Sincerity of Purpose
By Idahosa Musa
Benin City, Nigeria – Edo State Governor, Monday Okpehbolo, has ordered the overhaul of the state’s urban water infrastructures, the Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of the State Urban Water Corporation, Uyi Ekhosuehi, disclosed at the weekend.
Ekhosuehi said that the overhaul is expected to begin with the revitalization of the long-abandoned Ugboha Water Supply Scheme in Edo Central Senatorial District.
According to him, the revival of the Ugboha Water Supply Scheme marks the first step in a statewide intervention targeting critical water supply systems across the three Senatorial Districts, adding that the bid is aimed at addressing the challenges of water scarcity in Edo.
Ekhosuehi explained that upon resumption of office over two months ago, his first assignment was conduct a needs assessment of Ugboha, a community that has been without water for years due to a complete breakdown of the dam and treatment plant.
He sai: “The dam was down, and the treatment plant had stopped functioning. Worse still, substandard materials were used in the original project, particularly the improper mix of ductile iron and PVC pipes, which caused extensive leakages and system failure”.
He noted that the Governor, recognizing the urgency, swiftly approved the procurement of durable and appropriate replacement pipes.
“The governor graciously gave the green light for new pipes, saying that Ugboha cannot be the host community of this project and still lack water. That prompt decision is what brought us to this stage,” Ekhosuehi said.
He remarked that the new pipes have been delivered, and excavation work for their installation is already underway, describing it as a visible sign of the administration’s swift response and action-oriented governance.
Ekhosuehi also disclosed that beyond just restoring supply, the governor is also planning to increase the system’s output capacity.
He revealed that the Ugboha River has the potential to produce 30 million liters of water per day, compared to the current output of just 3 million liters.
The Ugboha initiative, he noted, reflects Governor Okpebholo’s broader commitment to restoring basic public utilities across the state, with a governance model rooted in responsive leadership, strategic planning, and the delivery of tangible results.
