By Dayo Johnson Akure

In a bid to end years of scarcity of water in Aboto Community, in ilaje council area of Ondo state, the state Oil Producing Areas Development Commission (OSOPADEC), has embarked on a major upgrade of the Aboto water scheme.

Residents of the community, have therefore breathe a sigh of relief following the Commission’s efforts aim3s at providing potable water to the community.

Speaking on this, a community leader, Idowu Beremoye, lauded the state governor, Dr Lucky Aiyedatiwa, led administration for changing the narrative to ensure the challenge of accessing clean drinking water becomes a thing of the past.

Beremoye said that residents of the community have been relying on unsafe sources of water for their daily needs but said that reality is gradually changing by the efforts of the commission to upgrade the Aboto water scheme.

He expressed excitement and gratitude over the development, describing it as a long-overdue intervention that will improve their living conditions.

According to him “Aboto, a community literally surrounded by water but deprived of clean water for years, the intervention marks a turning point in our lives, in bringing hope, health, and long-awaited relief to the people of this community.

Speaking during an inspection of the project, the Chairman of OSOPADEC, Prince Biyi Poroye, acknowledged the struggles of the people, noting that it was unacceptable for a water-rich community like Aboto to lack potable water.

Poroye said the project involves the rehabilitation of a dilapidated water tank, upgrade of the treatment plant, and expansion of the distribution network to ensure that more homes have access to safe water.

According to him, the ongoing work is aimed at ensuring that residents no longer suffer in the midst of abundance, adding that the Commission is committed to delivering a sustainable solution.

He explained that as part of the intervention, a new overhead tank is being constructed in Igbokoda to boost water supply across the network, while pipeline expansion is ongoing in nearby communities including Mahin and Odeigbo.

He said “at OSOPADEC, we have aligned fully with this vision and have commenced a comprehensive upgrade of water infrastructure across our mandate areas to ensure reliable, safe and sustainable water supply.

“This facility will supply potable water from junction to junction and will be connected to the Aboto Water Distribution Pipeline Network.

“In response to increasing demand, we are extending the pipeline network and providing more fishing points in key communities and streets, including Mahin, Odeigbo and other adjoined communities.

“These interventions are deliberately designed to secure a potable water supply for the next five years across Ilaje and Ese-Odo”

Poroye lamented the irony of water availability without access and said “we are not just going to limit ourselves to those limited areas where the water is available.

“Now, just as you have seen, how can you have two million gallons of water, about seven million litres of water is available, but the people do not have access to it.?”

The Chairman said the Commission has also requested to take over the NDDC water tank in Igbokoda to boost capacity.

He said, “we have formally requested the takeover of the NDDC water tank in Igbokoda. Our existing facility with a capacity of 100 cubic metres is no longer sufficient to meet the needs of the people,”

Poroye also explained that the Aboto Water Treatment Plant is being upgraded with modern components to improve water quality.

“We are constructing modern concrete sedimentation clarifiers and aeration tanks to enhance water treatment quality”

The Project Director-General of Menorah, the Aboto Water Distribution contractor, Engr. Ibrahim Dashin, said the project reflects OSOPADEC’s commitment to solving water challenges in riverine communities.

Dashin assured residents that the upgraded system would be more durable and efficient, with modern treatment processes put in place to guarantee safe drinking water.

He said that “The people cannot be in a water-rich area and still suffer from lack of clean water.

According to him ” OSOPADEC has taken action to change that. The sedimentation system comprises three units—the aeration, the clarifier and the sedimentation tanks.