The people of Edo Central have every cause to celebrate because this is a part of Edo State with critical water need. Most households largely depend on rain harvesting to get water for all purposes- Cooking, drinking, washing, agriculture and sanitation activities. Most of the industrial water boreholes existing in parts of Edo Central were provided by the All Progressives Congress -led Government in the state either under Comrade Adams Oshiomhole or Governor Godwin Obaseki.

Poor water supply in the area neglected by the PDP administration in the state had exposed the people, not only to untold hardship searching for water on a daily basis, but had predisposed majority of water seekers to unwholesome sources of water which has led to outbreak of water-related diseases, most of which were of epidemic levels. Under-five mortality rate was higher in that part of the state, according to available statistics, largely due to poor access to potable water.

But with the intervention of the APC administrations in the state, the people had had every reason to heave a sigh of relief as the Oshiomhole administration introduced Industrial borehole drilling machines that had provided potable water to some communities hitherto believed to be impossible to drill borehole. This policy has been continued by the Godwin Obaseki’s administration as a number of communities in Edo Central Senatorial district have been provided with clean water.

Water supply in Esan land, however, received a major boost last week as the President Muhammadu Buhari-led Federal Government handed over to the Edo State Government, the completed Northern Esan Water Project, in Ugboha, Esan South East Local government area of the state.The project estimated to have cost N3.85 billion, is reported to have the capacity to generate two million gallons or nine million liters of water per day.

It was heart-warming to learn that the current Minister of Water Resources, Engr. Suleiman Adamu, who led a Federal Government delegation, actually participated in the conception and design of the project in 1997, when he worked as a consultant to the Petroleum Trust Fund (PTF), which was then led by current President, Muhammadu Buhari. He noted that lack of fund stalled the project, until it was revived by the present administration.

Buhari as head of PTF had the feeling and plight of Esan people at heart when he conceived the project 21 years ago. But unfortunately, all the succeeding governments, which included 16 locust years of the Peoples Democratic Party in Nigeria, abandoned the project and literarily allowed some components to wear out over the years.

But Preisent MuhammaduBuhari who hails from Daura, a desert-prone community understands the danger Esan people have been going through over the years and prepared the ground for them to have the project once he was elected president. He expressly approved the completion of the Ugboha water project not minding the cost as he was convinced it would go a long way in ending the water crisis of Esan people.

Happily, last week, Engr. Suleiman Adamu’s led Federal Government delegation which included the Honorable Minister for Information and Culture, Alhaji Lai Mohammed, to the state government.

As an Engineer who knew what had gone into the project, the Water Resources Minister expressed satisfaction and confidence in the quality of job done and hoped that the agencies in charge of the scheme would do a good job to ensure its sustainability.

An obviously elated Governor Obaseki expressed gratitude to the President Buhari-led administration for the uncommon gesture to the people of the state and Esanland, in particular as he corroborated the fact that access to potable water was a major challenge in Esan land.

But it will be recalled that a son of Esan Land, Chief Tony Anenih, alias Mr Fix It was very prominent in the 16 Locust years of the PDP and did nothing meaningful to get the Water Resources Ministers and even the PDP-led Federal Government to complete the project. Not even Onolemenmen or the Ugbesias considered the completion of the Ugboha water scheme a priority of Esan people. In as much as they had boreholes in their sprawling mansions, they cared less about how the common Esan man, women and youths could have access to clean water.

It was gladdening to note that Governor Obaseki, on behalf of all Edo people and Esan in particular, thanked the President for coming to the aid of the people, because a man with a thankful heart will always attract more favours.

The Governor’s promise to do all his administration can to ensure the project benefits the people is most welcomed.But his appreciation is significant given the history behind the project and the clear fact that successive governments, which had prominent Esan sons in government and in power, didn’t make the project their priority. I will therefore cease this opportunity to appeal to the hoi poloi in Esan land to forgive them their sins as water got no enemy.

It is against this backdrop that methinks that one major action the Edo State Government would need to take, perhaps with support of the donor community and even the multilateral financial institutions such as the Africa Development Bank (AfDB) and the World Bank is to pipe potable water from the Ugboha water scheme to homes of Esan people.

Piping clean water to homes of Esan poor will go a long way in reducing maternal and under-five mortality rates in Edo Central and help also in tackling laser fever that has become a threat lately to people of the area. This would certainly help in meeting the UN Sustainable Development Goal for water in the state.

Civil Society Organisations should also join hands with the Edo State Government and rise up to the aid of our beloved Esan people by coming up with clear-cut sustainability plans for this gargantuan project. The project must not be allowed to break down at any point. It should perform optimally and achieve the dream of the Buhari administration of giving clean water to the ordinary citizens in Edo Central.

It is also reassuring that the progressive government of Godwin Obaseki, is aligning with the water policies of the Federal Government. The Edo State government has enunciated lofty water reforms policies which will help to guarantee access to potable water by all citizens of the state.

Edo people are aware that the State House of Assembly recently passed a bill to set up small town and rural water projects, which will give a boost to the reforms. It will be good that the State Governor signs this bill into law. Government should redouble efforts the training of needed manpower to drive the reforms. Government has trained communities to set up their own water associations, which will be working with government to make the policies work as obtained in some progressive states in the country.

It will be great to have the State Government restructure the Edo State Urban Water Board to improve clean water supply in the urban areas of Benin City, Auchi and Ekpoma. Government should also deal with all governance issues associated with the management of the State urban water board and reposition it for optimal performance. The Government should deepen its partnership with the World Bank and European Union in this regard.

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Mr Dan Owegie is a chieftain of the All Progressives Congress, APC, Edo State.