Senator Ned Nwoko (APC–Delta North) has appealed to Governor Sheriff Oborevwori to prioritize the completion of three major projects that he says are vital to the people of Delta North.
The projects include the Ogwashi-Uku Dam, the step-down facility for the Okpai Independent Power Plant, and the rehabilitation of the Onicha-Ugbo–Idumuje-Ugboko Road.
According to a statement from his media office, the senator made the call during a meeting with the governor on Tuesday. He explained that these projects represent the strong desires of his constituents, who view them as essential for access to water, electricity, agriculture, and improved connectivity.
While commending the governor’s efforts in infrastructure and human capital development, Nwoko stressed that completing these specific projects would have direct and lasting benefits for communities across the district.
Speaking on the Ogwashi-Uku Dam, he noted that the project had been handed over to the Benin-Owena River Basin Development Authority by the Federal Ministry of Water Resources, but required further intervention to reach its full potential.
“For the dam to serve its purpose, it needs a standard water treatment plant, a reticulation network to link all 66 communities in Delta North, and an irrigation system that will support year-round farming,” he said.
On the issue of power, Nwoko described the Okpai Independent Power Plant as one of the largest in Nigeria but lamented that its impact has been limited because of the absence of a 100-megawatt step-down facility.
He disclosed that his motion on the matter had gained the support of the Senate and that discussions with the Ministers of Power and Petroleum Resources had been encouraging. However, he noted that the federal government currently lacks the funds to execute the project.
“What is needed now is for the state government to step in—either by providing funding directly or by engaging reliable contractors and investors who can finance the project and recover costs through billing. Without this step-down, Delta is sitting next to power but still living in darkness,” he said.
The senator also underscored the importance of rehabilitating the Onicha-Ugbo–Idumuje-Ugboko Road, describing it as a critical route for trade and daily movement across communities.
He pledged to collaborate with the state government to attract the necessary funding and ensure the projects are completed, emphasizing that water, electricity, and road infrastructure remain the top priorities for the people of Delta North.