Akande’s one year scorecard: Owena Dam takes centre stage as Aiyedatiwa water project gains momentum
By Julius Alabi, Akure
Today, the Ondo State Commissioner for Water Resources, Public Sanitation and Hygiene, Hon. Ayodele Samson Akande, marks one year in office, with the administration of Governor Lucky Orimisan Aiyedatiwa intensifying efforts to reposition the state’s water sector and expand access to potable water.
Ondo State, like many sub-national governments in Nigeria, bears primary responsibility for urban water supply through its agencies, while also coordinating with federal and local authorities on water resources management and rural access. Akande assumed office at a time when infrastructure deficits, population growth, and ageing facilities posed significant challenges to efficient water delivery across the state.
Central to the administration’s intervention is a major urban water reform programme, strongly backed by Governor Aiyedatiwa as part of his broader infrastructure and public health agenda. The initiative, supported by international development partners including the African Development Bank, is valued at about $223 million and is designed to rehabilitate and expand the Akure water supply system, improve sanitation infrastructure, and establish modern waste treatment facilities.
A critical component of this reform effort is the revitalisation of the Owena Multipurpose Dam, a strategic asset now positioned to play a pivotal role in boosting water production and distribution capacity across the state. The dam, once underutilised due to technical and infrastructural challenges, is being transformed into the backbone of sustainable urban water supply, particularly for Akure and adjoining communities.
The project is expected to significantly increase water output, extend distribution networks, and improve access to safe drinking water for thousands of households, in line with national water sector reforms aimed at strengthening utilities and enhancing service delivery.
Within his first year, Akande has consistently emphasised the vision of universal access to clean and safe water, echoing Governor Aiyedatiwa’s commitment that no community in Ondo State should be left without potable water. This policy direction underscores the administration’s focus on equitable development across both urban centres and rural settlements.
In practical terms, the ministry has prioritised the upgrade of critical infrastructure, including water treatment plants and distribution systems. Procurement processes for the rehabilitation and expansion of the Akure water network, anchored on the Owena Dam supply system have been initiated to ensure improved efficiency and wider coverage.
The commissioner’s strategy also integrates sanitation as a core component of water supply. By linking water provision with sanitation services, the administration aims to tackle public health challenges, reduce waterborne diseases, and promote hygienic living conditions across communities.
A notable milestone within the year was the commissioning of the Omi Irorun O’datiwa Water Scheme at the Federal University of Technology Teaching Hospital, Akure (FUTATH). The project, with a capacity to supply 150 cubic metres of clean water daily to over 6,000 residents, forms part of the ₦75 million Akure North/South water projects.
Akande disclosed that the facility is equipped with a 100-cubic-metre storage tank mounted on a 12-metre-high stanchion, supported by a distribution network spanning up to two kilometres. The scheme is powered by a hybrid energy system driven by 10.2kW solar capacity, underscoring the administration’s embrace of sustainable and cost-effective technology.
In addition, several functional and ongoing solar-powered borehole projects have been deployed across the three senatorial districts of the state, further expanding access to potable water at the grassroots level.
Stakeholder engagement has remained a defining feature of Akande’s tenure. Through sustained consultations with development partners, and community leaders, the ministry has worked to build consensus around reforms and ensure that interventions reflect the needs and realities of the people.
Experts maintain that improved access to safe water is a key driver of socio-economic development. Reliable water supply enhances productivity, supports agriculture and small-scale enterprises, and improves health outcomes, particularly for women and children.
Despite notable progress, challenges persist, including funding constraints, the need for sustainable maintenance of infrastructure, and the extension of services to remote rural communities. Climate variability and rising demand for water resources also pose long-term concerns.
Nevertheless, ongoing reforms under the Aiyedatiwa administration are widely seen as a turning point for the sector. The strategic integration of international financing, policy direction, and infrastructure renewal anchored by the Owena Multipurpose Dam offers a strong foundation for sustainable water management in the state.
As Akande celebrates his first year in office, expectations remain high, with residents and stakeholders looking forward to tangible improvements in water availability, affordability, and reliability.
The coming months will be crucial in determining the long-term impact of these initiatives. If effectively implemented, they could redefine water supply in Ondo State and position it as a model for other states in Nigeria.
For now, the commissioner’s one year scorecard reflects a sector in transition driven by Governor Aiyedatiwa’s vision, strengthened by strategic assets like the Owena Multipurpose Dam, and moving steadily toward improved access, stronger institutions, and enhanced quality of life for the people of Ondo State.
