By Fred Odu/Austin Oyibode
IDUMUJE-UGOKO/Nigeria: The people of Idumuje Ugboko in Aniocha North and Umunede in Ika North East Local Government Areas of Delta State were thrown into jubilation on Wednesday as Senator Ned Nwoko, representing Delta North Senatorial District, commissioned solar-powered boreholes to tackle years of water scarcity in the communities.
The Umunede scheme will provide clean water to residents of Idumu Isiokwe, Idumu Oroh, Egwuechime, Umu Obi, and New Road, while the Idumuje Ugboko facility will serve hundreds of households that had long endured the hardship of sourcing water from distant streams and neighbouring towns.
For years, residents of Umunede trekked as far as nine kilometres to Mbiri to fetch water. That experience, community members said, has now become history. “It has not been easy for us to get water over the years. I am here to appreciate Senator Nwoko for providing clean water for us,” said Miss Augusta Agwumaro, a native of Umunede.
A community leader, the Akinuwa of Umunede Kingdom, Chief Amos Onyeagwu, echoed the sentiment. “Water is life. Our problem has been water over the years. Today, water is now here with us through the efforts of our distinguished Senator. Our wish is that God will always remember him for good.”
The solar-powered boreholes, designed to operate without diesel or fuel, ensure sustainable and cost-effective access to water. At the commissioning, the Chief of Staff to Senator Nwoko, Dr. Michael Nwoko, explained that the projects were fully attracted by the lawmaker under the 2024 Federal Government appropriation. “The basic commodity that should be provided for people is water. Senator Nwoko thought it wise to facilitate this project because of the acute scarcity in Delta North,” he said.
Executed by the Benin-Owena River Basin Development Authority (BORBDA), the projects also included training for local indigenes to manage and maintain the systems for long-term sustainability.
Senator Nwoko’s broader water intervention agenda spans beyond boreholes. The Ogwashi-Uku Dam, now 80 percent completed, and the newly funded Aniofu Dam in Aniocha North were both facilitated through his legislative efforts. According to Dr. Nwoko, “When these two dams are completed, the challenge of acute water supply will be a thing of the past in Delta North.”
He also noted that the Senator is pushing for smart irrigation systems under President Bola Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda to boost agriculture and guarantee food security across the region.
Political and community leaders at the ceremonies lauded Nwoko’s performance. Hon. Samuel Ekene Kerry, APC Chairman for Ika North East, said: “This is evidence of his effectiveness. I thank Senator Nwoko for considering it necessary to bring water to our people, and I also thank President Tinubu for approving the project.”
Special Adviser on Political Matters, Chief Emmanuel Eboh, urged residents to maintain the boreholes, stressing that “this project is for the people of Umunede, not for Ned. More are coming.”
Managing Director of BORBDA, Hon. Dr. Olufemi Adekanbi, commended the Senator’s commitment, saying, “Ned Nwoko is a performing Senator. He loves his people. I see the zeal in him for performance.” He confirmed that work on the Ogwashi-Uku Dam’s reticulation was underway, while funds had been secured for the Aniofu Dam.
Residents like Chief Boniface Chiejere, however, appealed for more interventions, saying, “We need more. We are asking for more from the Distinguished Senator.”
With cultural dances, heartfelt tributes, and songs of praise marking the occasion, the borehole projects stood as a tangible testament to Senator Ned Nwoko’s determination to transform lives in Delta North—bringing clean water to communities where scarcity once held sway.
