Momoh Umar Momoh, Benin
The management of the Benin-Owena River Basin Development Authority (BORBDA) says it will soon address the water problems of four Local Government Areas in the Delta North Senatorial District with the completion of the Ogwashi-Uku Dam.
The Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of the Authority, Dr. Femi Adekanbi, disclosed this during a courtesy visit to the Delta State Governor, Sheriff Oborevwori, in Government House in Asaba on Wednesday.
Adekanbi said that the Dam, which has been structurally completed, and the water reticulation phase is pending completion, would provide clean water to four local government areas in the State.
He listed the four Local Governments as Aniocha South, Aniocha North, Oshimili North, and Oshimili South.
The BORBDA boss, who lauded the governor’s initiatives in supporting youth empowerment and agricultural development, opined that the goal of the agency is to work with the state governments to tackle the food crisis across its coverage states of Delta, Ondo, Edo, and Ekiti.
He also disclosed that the establishment is focusing on commercial rice production and has partnered with the National Directorate of Employment (NDE) to train youths, empowering them to become job creators.
He, however, commended the Governor for the impressive infrastructural developments across the state and reiterated the Authority’s commitment to addressing food insecurity and encouraging youth participation in agriculture.
In his remarks, Governor Sheriff Oborevwori called on the Federal Government to expedite action on the completion of the Dam project, due to its significant economic value to the surrounding communities.
Oborevwori, who expressed hope that the project would be completed by October this year, stated that its completion would help resolve the pressing water supply issues affecting Ogwashi-Uku and 16 surrounding communities.
According to him, I congratulate you on your well-deserved appointment and trust that you will justify the confidence President has placed in your team.
“I urge you to use this opportunity to ensure the completion of the Ogwashi-Uku Dam. We have a major Agro-Industrial Park project in the area, and the dam is critical to its success.
“As a government, we remain committed to the development of the state. I have approved the establishment of water sanitation departments across all 25 local government areas in the state,” he added.
The Governor, while also responding to issues raised by the Authority, including employment and the Ute-Okpu water situation, said his administration would look into the concerns raised.
On security, the governor reassured the delegation of the state’s relative peace and successful efforts in combating crime.
“Security challenges are not unique to Delta, but we have made significant progress. Some of our achievements are kept out of the media to avoid disrupting ongoing investigations”, he said.
He stressed that the state remains one of the most peaceful in the South-South, noting that the presence and operations of several expatriates are proof of a stable security environment.
He, however, commended the Authority for presenting locally produced Garri and encouraged them to expand production, especially for rural communities.
He assured the agency that his government would support it to succeed, positing that its success is also the state government’s success.
