In a renewed push to eliminate water scarcity in riverine communities, the Chairman of the Ondo State Oil Producing Areas Development Commission (OSOPADEC), Prince Biyi Poroye, on Monday concluded a high-level strategic meeting with Mr. Alex Pan, South West Project Planning Manager of CGC Nigeria Limited, to accelerate the full resumption of the Aboto Water Treatment Plant project.
The meeting, which took place at CGC’s Abuja office, focused on strategies to expedite the contractor’s return to site and fast-track operations on the 2-million-gallon-per-day water facility located in Aboto, Ilaje Local Government Area of Ondo State.
Describing the initiative as a “water revolution,” Prince Poroye stated that the chronic water scarcity plaguing riverine communities; particularly in Ilaje and Ese-Odo LGAs; will soon become a thing of the past.
“This water treatment plant is a milestone for the people of Ilaje, and our vision is clear: to ensure that treated water reaches even the most remote parts of our communities,” Poroye said.
He further disclosed OSOPADEC’s plans to replicate the Aboto Water Project in Ese-Odo Local Government Area, thereby expanding access to safe and treated water for thousands more in the oil-producing belt of the state.
Poroye commended CGC Nigeria Limited for the successful construction of the facility and PDG Menora for its effective operations and maintenance, which he said continue to improve the lives of residents.
In response, CGC’s Alex Pan assured that the company is fully committed to resuming operations, explaining that the suspension was due solely to electricity supply challenges.
“Once the electricity issue is resolved, our team will be back on ground to deliver optimal water services to the communities,” Pan affirmed.
Providing a solution to the power crisis, Engr. Johnson Alabi, Special Adviser to Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa on Power, assured that power will be restored in Aboto and its neighboring communities within weeks.
“Our technical teams have been mobilized. We are deploying all necessary resources to restore power and return normalcy to the area,” Alabi assured.
Also present at the meeting was Engr. Ibrahim Dashin, Project Coordinator at CGC’s Abuja headquarters, who actively contributed to the discussions on seamless project continuity.
The Aboto Water Treatment Plant remains one of OSOPADEC’s flagship projects, designed to drastically transform health, hygiene, and livelihood standards across Ondo State’s oil-bearing communities.
