By Festus Ahon
Access to clean and safe drinking water is a fundamental human right; yet, many communities in Nigeria still struggle to obtain it. In Delta State, Governor Sheriff Oborevwori has prioritized the provision of potable water, recognizing its vital role in public health, economic growth, and overall quality of life.
Since taking office, he has taken significant measures to enhance water infrastructure, ensuring that both urban and rural communities benefit from sustainable potable water projects.
Governor Oborevwori’s development agenda for Delta State places strong emphasis on infrastructure and social welfare, with potable water supply as a key priority.
Recognizing the challenges many communities face—including inadequate boreholes and outdated pipelines—his administration has committed substantial resources to expanding and modernizing water facilities. His goal is clear: to provide as many Deltans as possible with access to clean water, reduce waterborne diseases, and improve daily living conditions.
Through its partnership with the World Bank-Assisted Sustainable Urban and Rural Water Supply, Sanitation and Hygiene Programme (SURWASH), the Oborevwori administration has launched several projects aimed at improving potable water access across the state.
These include: Revamping Existing Water Schemes. Governor Oborevwori’s administration has been rehabilitating water facilities, upgrading water treatment plants, and restoring broken pipelines. In cities such as Asaba, Warri and Ughelli, old waterworks are being revived to meet growing public demand for potable water.
Expansion of water supply to rural communities which often suffer the most from potable water scarcity. To bridge this gap, the state government has initiated the drilling of solar-powered boreholes in remote areas. These boreholes are designed to provide a sustainable source of clean water, thus reducing the reliance on contaminated streams and rivers water.
So far, so many water supply schemes have either been constructed or rehabilitated across several communities and cities across the state by the Oborevwori administration. They include: Rehabilitation of water supply at Issele- Uku, construction of water treatment plant at West End Secondary School, Asaba, Osubi Secondary School, Osubi, Evwreke Primary School, Osubi, construction of solar powered water supply at Amawa Layout, Oleh, Deghele, Tebu, Gbokoda, Ajamita, Udo, Oboghoro, Boji-Boji, Agbor, Umunede, Kwale, Obiaruku, Ughelli, Owa-Ekei, Owa-Alero, and Koko.
Others are the rehabilitation of solar- powered water supply scheme at Oleh, Olomoro, Enwhe, Egbo-Igbide, Irri, Uzere, Bethel Town, Emede, Aviara, Erowha, Umeh, Owodokpokpo, Igbide, Ivrogbo, Ederhie, Araya, Okpe-Isoko, Afiesere, Uwheru, Unenurhie, Sanubi-Orogun, Ohoror, Agbarha-Otor, Agadama, Ikwegwu-Agbarho, Okpe-Orogun, Ewu, Emu-Unor, Oliogo-Umuseti, Ogo-Ikilibi, Igbe-Ogume,Ogbe-Ogume, Ogbole-Ogume, Ibrede, Umukwata, Umutu, Obinomba, Amai, Akoku, Edegbrode, Adeje, Ujovwe, Saniko, Omavovwe, Okpara-Agbarha, Oviri-Ogor, Aghalokpe, Orhokpokpo, Ewhawha, Edjegba-Agbarha, Eyara-Enwhe, Utuloho-Aviara, Okpare-Aviara, Emu-Obodeti, Umuseti-Ogbe, Umuse-Deli, Amoji, Lagos-Ogbe, Utagba-Ogbe, Utagba-Unor, Mereje, Okwuabude, Oviri-Okpe, Umiaghwa, Gudu-Gudu, Unurie-Aghalokpe, Ughwagba, Ghana Quarters, Obiaruku, Imiroje, Edjekemevor, among others.
Speaking during one of the inspection visits to the projects, the State Commissioner for Water Resources, Dr Isaac Wilkie, lauded Governor Sheriff Oborevwori for his support leading to the massive transformation of the state’s water sector.
He said the purpose of the inspection was to ensure that all errors observed were put together and rectified, adding that the state government was pursuing a tripartite power supply system through solar, generator and public power supply, to ensure continuous potable water supply across the state.
However, recognizing that government resources alone might not be sufficient, the Oborevwori administration is engaging private sector players to invest in water infrastructure. These partnerships with NGOs and international agencies are helping to fund projects and ensure long-term maintenance of water supply facilities.
Beyond providing infrastructure, the government is also enforcing policies to ensure proper water management. Agencies responsible for water distribution are being restructured to improve efficiency, while communities are being sensitized on the importance of water conservation and hygiene.
The impact of these water sector initiatives extends beyond just providing clean drinking water; improved access to potable water is reducing the incidence of diseases such as cholera and typhoid, which are often linked to contaminated water sources.
Additionally, women and children, who typically bear the burden of fetching water from distant locations, now have more time for other productive activities, including education and income-generating work.
Despite these strides, climate change, population growth, and funding constraints pose ongoing threats to water security.
However, Governor Oborevwori remains steadfast in his vision, continuously seeking innovative solutions to sustain water availability in the state. His administration is also looking into advanced water treatment technologies and enhanced monitoring systems to ensure quality and reliability.
Governor Oborevwori’s commitment to potable water supply is transforming lives in Delta State. Through strategic investments, policy reforms, and community engagement, his government is laying the foundation for a future where every Deltan has access to clean, safe water. While challenges persist, the progress made so far is a testament to his dedication to improving the well-being of his people. With sustained efforts and collaboration, Delta State is on the path to achieving lasting water security.
…Says his administration responds to critics with projects
Governor Sheriff Oborevwori, within the week, said that his administration would continue to respond to criticisms with verifiable projects that are positively impacting the lives of Deltans.
He noted that there had been a few members of opposition political parties in the state who were only functional on social media platforms, adding that “Deltans are aware of the projects executed by his administration in their localities and appreciate what his administration is doing for them”.
Represented by his Deputy, Sir Monday Onyeme, Oborevwori spoke on Thursday during the inauguration of Boji-Boji Owa Mixed Modern Market, Ika North-East Local Government Area of Delta State.
He said, “the few members of the opposition political parties are only making noise on social media; our people are seeing and enjoying the projects we have executed in their communities. It is good that with verifiable projects, we are responding to our critics.”
Sir Festus Ogbanzu, who spoke on behalf of impacted communities and Hon. Monday Odigwe, Chairman, Ika North-East Local Government, among others, who spoke at the occasion, thanked Governor Oborevwori for executing people -oriented projects in the state.
…Seeks redesign of school curriculum for job creation
Governor of Delta State, Rt. Hon. Sheriff Oborevwori, Wednesday, called for the effective redesign of academic curricula for graduates to have the technical know-how to be job and wealth creators.
He made the call at the 4th Founder’s Day Celebration of the University of Delta, UNIDEL, Agbor, Delta State.
Represented by his Deputy, Sir Monday Onyeme, Governor Oborevwori said; “quality, functional education is one of the priority areas of the MORE agenda of my administration. We believe that education is not merely about imparting knowledge; it is also about shaping character, fostering creativity, and equipping the students with the right skill-sets and mindsets that they need to excel in the global marketplace.
“The major drawback of our current educational system is that it prepares the graduates for salaried employment.
“As a government, we are determined to reverse the course by ensuring that technical and vocational education feature prominently in the academic curricular of our educational institutions, beginning from primary school; it is my earnest expectation that UNIDEL will ensure that the academic curricular is such that graduates from here will have the knowledge and technical know-how.
