By Kelvin Ohoror
The Member representing Isoko North and South Federal Constituency in the House of Representatives, Hon. (Engr.) Jonathan Ajirioghene Ukodhiko, last Thursday embarked on an inspection tour of one of the ongoing 2025 Federal Capital Projects in Otor-Owhe Community, the rehabilitation of the water reticulation system.
Speaking during the inspection, Rep. Ukodhiko expressed satisfaction with the pace and quality of work done by the contracting firm and commended the Otor-Owhe community for their cooperation and support towards the success of the project.
“This water project is very dear to my heart and before the end of my tenure, the other Owhe communities that were in the original catchment plan of the Otor-Owhe Water Board will be connected to it. While growing up, this facility supplied water to the entire Owhe clan, including my own community, Erawha, and even Emevor,” Ukodhiko stated.
“By God’s grace, in the next budget year, other Owhe communities will be captured. I am also aware of another reservoir at Ozoro which will also be reactivated so that surrounding communities can have access to potable water. The truth is that water from a reservoir cannot be compared to that from boreholes. The pipes are deeper and wider, making the water cleaner and more easily accessible, especially to those who cannot afford to drill boreholes,” he added.
“The Otor-Owhe Overhead Concrete Reservoir, with a capacity of 270m³, is a sub-regional water scheme originally constructed by the Federal Government of Nigeria to serve several catchment communities.
“Over time, the facility suffered setbacks due to over reliance on public power supply and diesel-powered generators, resulting in erratic operation and high maintenance costs”.
Following appeals from residents, Rep. Ukodhiko facilitated the rehabilitation of the facility under the 2025 national budget. The ongoing upgrade includes a comprehensive redesign of the headworks to ensure sustainable and reliable potable water delivery to Otor-Owhe and neighbouring communities.
According to the lawmaker, the project scope covers the drilling of additional boreholes, installation of hybrid submersible pumps for operational efficiency, and the replacement of obsolete asbestos cement pipes with new hydraulically modelled pipelines that meet current safety and engineering standards.
Rep. Ukodhiko further revealed that the new submersible pumps would be powered by solar energy to guarantee uninterrupted water supply while minimising cost implications for the community.
He added that water distribution lines have already been extended into several streets, enabling households to connect directly and enjoy clean water from their homes.
He commended the engineers and contractors for their professionalism and diligence, expressing optimism that the project would be completed to specification and serve the people effectively.
Rep. Ukodhiko reaffirmed his commitment to completing all ongoing constituency projects across Isoko Nation, while urging the Federal Government to ensure full implementation of the 2025 Appropriation Act to facilitate more transformative projects that will enhance infrastructure and improve the quality of life of his constituents.
Speaking on behalf of the community, the President-General of Otor-Owhe, Engr. Wilfred Atunu, expressed profound gratitude to Rep. Ukodhiko for initiating the rehabilitation of the community’s water system.
He also commended him for other projects earmarked for execution in Otor-Owhe.
The women and youths, who trooped out in large numbers, sang and danced joyfully to welcome the federal lawmaker
