Senator Ned Nwoko
By Victory Oghene
More facts have emerged on why the Senator representing Delta North in the Upper Chamber, Senator (Prince) Ned Nwoko, implored the Delta State government under the watch of Governor Sheriff Oborevwori to embark on the completion of the Okpai Power Plant located in Ndokwa East Local Government Area of Delta State.
Senator Nwoko relied on the response of the Federal Ministry of Water Resources and Sanitation on the Ogwashi-Uku Earth Dam which indicated that the ministry had since completed its part and awaiting the state to do the needful.
It was on this premise that the lawmaker advocated for the completion of the Okpai Power Plant by the state government.
According to a letter titled RE:OGWASHI-UKU EARTH DAM PROJECT, dated 26th of June, 2024, which emanated from the office of the Honourable Minister, Ministry of Water Resources and Sanitation Abuja, signed by the Permanent Secretary, Shehu Aliyu Shinkafi and exclusively obtained by NATIONAL WAVES, the ministry completed the dam in 2019 and handed over to the Benin Owena River Basin Development Authority (BORBDA) in 2019, for effective utilization of the impounded water.
The ministry requested Senator Nwoko to advise the Delta State Government to collaborate with BORBDA to complete the water supply component of the project for effective water distribution to the benefitting communities.
The letter reads “I write to refer to your letter Ref No.P/SEN/NED/00269/2024 dated 9th May 2024 on the above subject and to inform you on the completion of the dam the Ministry handed over to Benin Owena River Basin Development Authority (BORBDA) in 2019, for effective utilization of the impounded water.
“In line with your submission, you are kindly requested to advise the Delta State Government to collaborate with Benin Owena River Basin Development Authority (BORBDA) to complete the water supply component of the project for effective water distribution to the benefitting communities. Please, accept the assurances of the warm regards of the Honourable Minister”
The letter
Sequel to the above, Senator Nwoko while interacting with newsmen stated that “If we move from Okpai Power Plant to Ogwashi-Uku dam, you will see clearly the federal government of Nigeria’s position from the above letter. They have completed their own work. What is remaining is for the state to build the water treatment plant and do the pipings to homes and farms. Infact the dam has three functions, good treated water for household use, irrigation for farms and power generation.
“But despite my push and open confrontation with the governor and immediate past governor, Ifeanyi Okowa at the PDP caucus meeting, coupled with the massive federal government allocation, they keep saying that their is no money. The dam will serve 70 communities in Delta”
NATIONAL WAVES gathered that Senator Nwoko has started a second dam in Idumuje Ugboko which is currently in the budget.
