Residents of riverine communities in Ondo State may soon heave a sigh of relief as the Ondo State Oil Producing Areas Development Commission (OSOPADEC) ramps up efforts to address persistent water challenges in Ilaje and Ese-Odo Local Government Areas.
The Commission’s renewed intervention aligns closely with the Ondo State Government’s broader development agenda aimed at ensuring safe and potable water for all residents, particularly in hard-to-reach coastal settlements.
At the heart of the initiative is the ongoing upgrade of the Aboto Water Treatment Plant, a critical infrastructure project expected to significantly transform access to clean water in one of Nigeria’s most environmentally vulnerable regions.
The project is seen as a major step toward tackling the long-standing issue of inadequate water supply caused by difficult terrain and saline conditions.
Speaking on the development, OSOPADEC Chairman, Prince Olabiyi Olaleye Poroye, reiterated the Commission’s commitment to fulfilling the directive of the state government to make potable water accessible to every household within its mandate areas.
He emphasized that access to clean water is not a privilege but a basic necessity that must be guaranteed for all.
“We remain fully committed to the directive of Mr. Governor that every home in Ilaje and Ese-Odo must have access to potable water,” Poroye stated, stressing that the Commission would not relent until the objective is achieved.
To actualize this vision, OSOPADEC has embarked on a comprehensive overhaul of existing water infrastructure, combining increased production capacity with an aggressive expansion of distribution networks. This dual approach is expected to ensure that water not only gets treated but also reaches the end users efficiently.
One of the major components of the upgrade is the construction of a 500-cubic-meter overhead water tank in Igbokoda, strategically situated within the OSOPADEC Area Office. The new facility is designed to supply potable water to Zero-Zero Junction and surrounding areas while integrating seamlessly with the wider Aboto distribution system.
In addition, the Commission has commenced the extension of reticulation pipelines and the installation of multiple public water access points across Igbokoda to meet rising demand. These efforts are complemented by rehabilitation works in Ugbonla, where an existing overhead tank originally constructed by the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) is being upgraded to boost supply capacity.
The first phase of the expansion targets areas that were previously underserved or disconnected from the water network, including GRA Igbokoda, Larada Street, Market Road, Omonira Street, and adjoining communities. According to Poroye, the interventions are carefully structured to provide sustainable water supply for at least the next five years.
He further disclosed that OSOPADEC has formally requested the handover of the NDDC water facility in Ugbonla, noting that its larger capacity would significantly enhance water delivery if integrated into the Commission’s operations.
A notable feature of the ongoing upgrade is the transition from steel-based infrastructure to modern concrete water treatment systems. The project now incorporates advanced components such as sedimentation tanks, clarifiers, and aeration systems, all designed to withstand the harsh coastal environment.
Poroye explained that the shift reflects global best practices, particularly in regions with high salinity levels. According to him, concrete structures are more durable, resistant to corrosion, and require less maintenance compared to steel installations, which have proven vulnerable over time.
Providing technical insights, Project Manager of PDG Menorah Nigeria Limited, Ibrahim Dashin, revealed that the Aboto Water Treatment Plant has the capacity to produce approximately two million gallons of water daily, equivalent to about seven million litres. However, he noted that less than half of this capacity is currently being utilized due to distribution challenges.
“The issue is not production,” Dashin said. “The real challenge lies in distribution. Many communities experiencing water shortages are yet to be fully connected to the reticulation network.”
He attributed some of the current difficulties to earlier infrastructure decisions, explaining that while the original design recommended concrete systems, steel tanks were eventually installed due to funding limitations—an option that has not proven suitable for the coastal terrain.
Dashin further highlighted that saline conditions, combined with the chemicals used in water treatment, accelerate corrosion in steel tanks, thereby affecting both water quality and structural integrity. He added that repeated maintenance efforts have weakened the system over time, raising concerns about long-term sustainability.
Describing the ongoing intervention as timely and necessary, Dashin noted that the current leadership of OSOPADEC is addressing gaps that should have been resolved earlier. He added that if the right infrastructure had been deployed from the outset, many of the present challenges would have been avoided.
At present, the facility supplies water to Igbokoda, Mahin, Ode-Ugbo, and Ugbo Palace, with plans underway to extend coverage to more communities across Ilaje and Ese-Odo.
OSOPADEC maintains that expanding the distribution network and increasing access points are key to unlocking the full potential of the Aboto Water Treatment Plant. With production capacity already in place, the Commission’s priority is to ensure that water reaches every household that needs it.
“If water is available, there is no reason it should not get to every community,” Dashin emphasized.
As work continues on the project, stakeholders believe the Aboto Water Treatment Plant upgrade will serve as a cornerstone in improving public health, raising living standards, and driving sustainable development across the oil-producing communities of Ondo State.
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