Open Letter to H. E. Alh. Usman Ahmed Ododo, Governor of Kogi State
Your Excellency,
Access to clean and safe drinking water remains one of the most basic responsibilities of the government. For years, communities across our dear Kogi State have cried out, both online and offline, over the scarcity of potable water, yet a lasting solution has remained elusive.
I once came across a report that the State Commissioner for Water Resources was seeking a N100 billion loan to rehabilitate water systems, particularly in the state capital. While the authenticity of that report remains uncertain, it at least underscored how critical the water situation in Kogi has become.
Your recent directive instructing all commissioners to provide three boreholes each in their respective local governments clearly shows that you are aware of the people’s cries and are determined to bring relief. This gesture demonstrates responsiveness and empathy, qualities of leadership that deserve commendation.
However, Your Excellency, while this initiative may offer short-term relief, it cannot provide a permanent solution to the state’s growing water challenge. The idea of relying on three boreholes per local government is limited in scope and sustainability. Not every local government has a serving commissioner, and not every area has soil conditions suitable for boreholes.
Moreover, hydrological studies have shown that in many areas of Kogi, especially rocky or dry zones like Okene-Eba, boreholes often fail. Even legislators at state and national levels have built boreholes for their constituencies, and a councillor from Adavi LG reportedly done the same. These are commendable individual efforts, but they cannot replace a coordinated, long-term water policy.
We thank God that Kogi is not without water infrastructure. The Ekuku Dam at Agassa, the Osara Dam, and existing Okene Waterworks are tangible assets that, if properly rehabilitated and expanded, can provide millions of Kogites with clean and reliable water. These facilities have the potential to serve the people in Kogi Central while other senatorial districts will be connected to any nearby dams in the state. Unfortunately, the aforementioned dams have been allowed to deteriorate, while attention is being shifted to borehole projects that can only serve a fraction of the population and for a limited time.
Reviving and expanding our dams, and extending their pipelines to nearby communities, would ensure a more durable, equitable, and cost-effective water supply system.
Providing potable water is not an act of benevolence, it is a statutory duty of government. Matters as critical as water supply should not depend on directives or personal donations. They should be guided by a comprehensive policy framework approved by the State Executive Council, supported by the House of Assembly, and reflected in the state’s annual budget.
Just like education, healthcare, and road infrastructure, water deserves to be at the heart of the state’s development agenda. What Kogi urgently needs is a Water Development Master Plan that clearly defines short-term, medium-term, and long-term goals. This plan should outline how urban and rural water schemes will be managed, maintained, and funded.
If the state can invest heavily in agriculture and road rehabilitation, it can also prioritize a robust, well-funded water rehabilitation program, complete with maintenance and oversight mechanisms.
Your Excellency, beyond state resources, there are World Bank, assisted projects and other international development initiatives currently supporting water and sanitation programs across Nigeria. Kogi can benefit from these partnerships, just as it has from road, erosion f control, and girls child education, if the government actively engages with these development partners and presents viable project proposals.
Sir, there is no doubt that your administration means well and is determined to ease the suffering of our people. But boreholes, no matter how many, will dry up someday. Well-managed dams and functional waterworks, however, can serve generations.
For this reason, I humbly urge Your Excellency to consider declaring a State of Emergency on Water Supply in Kogi State. Such a declaration will not only demonstrate your firm commitment to the welfare of the people but will also attract the attention and support of national and international partners.
May the Almighty guide you with wisdom as you continue to serve our beloved state.
– Engr Ira Habib writes from Kogi state.
