Governor Sheriff Oborevwori has urged the federal government to fast-track the Ogwashi-Uku Dam project to realise its economic value for local communities.

He made the appeal during a visit by the Benin-Owena River Basin Authority, led by managing director and CEO Femi Adekanbi, to Government House, Asaba, on Wednesday.

Mr Oborevwori congratulated Mr Adekanbi on his appointment and encouraged him to justify the confidence the president and the agency’s leadership reposed in him.

The governor expressed hope that the dam would be completed by October, which would help resolve water supply issues in Ogwashi-Uku and 16 nearby communities.

“I urge you to ensure the dam’s completion. Our Agro-Industrial Park in the area depends on it,” he told the agency’s delegation.

Mr Oborevwori said his administration remained committed to state development and had approved water sanitation departments across all 25 local government areas in Delta.

In response to issues raised by the Authority, he promised to address employment concerns and the water situation affecting the Ute-Okpu community.

He reassured the delegation of Delta’s relative peace and ongoing efforts to tackle insecurity across the state.

Delta, he noted, remains one of the most peaceful in the South-South, with several expatriates working there as evidence of security stability.

“Security challenges are not unique to Delta. We’ve made progress, but some achievements are kept off the media to protect investigations,” he added.

Mr Adekanbi commended the governor for infrastructure progress across the state and pledged support in tackling food insecurity.

“Our aim is to partner Delta to address food crises across Delta, Ondo, Edo, and Ekiti,” Mr Adekanbi said.

He said the agency was prioritising commercial rice production and has partnered with the NDE to train youths as agricultural entrepreneurs.

Mr Adekanbi clarified that the Ogwashi-Uku dam structure is complete, but the water reticulation is still pending final work.

“Once finished, the dam will supply water to Aniocha South, Aniocha North, Oshimili North, and Oshimili South,” he said.

(NAN)