The Commissioner for Water Resources in Delta State, Dr. Isaac Wilkie, has assured residents of Ogwashi-Uku, that the state government will complete the rehabilitation of the Ogwashi-Uku water scheme project, despite the withdrawal of USAID support.
Speaking in an exclusive interview with our correspondent on Wednesday, February 26, 2025, the commissioner clarified that USAID’s withdrawal from the project, will not significantly affect the fate of the project.
“The withdrawal of funds did not really affect us because they don’t have much to do with us. They don’t have any project in the state other than the one that did not come on stream, which is the rehabilitation of the Ogwashi-Uku water scheme in Ogwashi-Uku.
“Other than that, they don’t have any other project in the state,” he stated.
Wilkie explained that the state government had been discussing with with USAID representatives regarding the project, but had not received any follow-up after their initial meeting.
“When the announcement was made, the country director came and spoke to us, and said he was going to get back to us. But, up till date, we have not heard from him,” he revealed.
Despite this, the commissioner assured the people of Ogwashi-Uku that the state government will not allow them to suffer due to the withdrawal by USAID.
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“But as a state, we will not leave Ogwashi-Uku people without water. Ogwashi-Uku is part of Delta State, and the project they are rehabilitating is our project. So, we will do the needful to ensure that they get water,” he affirmed.
He further emphasized the state’s commitment to avoiding unnecessary duplication of efforts, while waiting for USAID’s final position on the project.
“We want to know the position of things, so that we won’t duplicate efforts. We won’t leave them without water,” he concluded.
Meanwhile, Zeliewe Ojeogwu, chairman of Ogwashi-Uku Water Committee, confirmed that the project had reached an advanced stage, with all necessary paperwork completed and contracts signed.
He expressed optimism that work would soon begin in earnest.
