In what residents are calling a life-changing moment, the people of Ugboha in Edo Central now have access to clean, safe water for the first time in decades, thanks to a sweeping overhaul of the Ugboha Water Supply Scheme by the Edo State Government.

This remarkable turnaround is part of Governor Monday Okpebholo’s broader mission to end water scarcity across Edo State a goal that is now visibly taking shape in communities long forgotten by previous administrations.

The once-dilapidated Ugboha Water Scheme, crippled by years of neglect and substandard construction, has been brought back to life. The result? Flowing taps, gleaming pipelines, and joy in the eyes of villagers who once walked miles to fetch water from unsafe rivers.

Speaking during an inspection tour, Mr. Uyi Ekhosuehi, Managing Director of the Edo State Urban Water Corporation, highlighted the magnitude of the transformation. For the first time since the project was initiated, he said, Ugboha is now enjoying uninterrupted access to treated water a milestone made possible by a full-scale technical overhaul.

“When this scheme was first executed, it failed to serve its purpose,” Ekhosuehi explained. “The pipes used were a dangerous mix of UPVC and ductile materials that couldn’t handle the pressure. Constant leakages and a neglected dam meant the community never saw a drop.”

But Governor Okpebholo refused to let the project go to waste. He ordered a complete turnaround of the system: new high-pressure pumps, a state-of-the-art automated filtration plant, and a full replacement of weak piping with industrial-grade ductile iron.

With Ugboha now fully connected, expansion work is swiftly moving into neighboring communities. Uromi, Uwesan, and parts of Irrua are next in line, with pipes and fittings already on-site and installations expected to wrap up in a matter of weeks.

The broader plan is ambitious. According to Ekhosuehi, restoration efforts will soon reach Ekpoma, Iruekpen, Illeh, and their surrounding areas. In tandem, design work is underway to reactivate the Ojirami and Ikpoba River dams key steps in boosting water supply to Edo North and South.

“The governor’s vision is clear: in the next five to six years, no community in Edo will be left behind when it comes to water access,” he said. “We’re also reviving supply to places like Agbede in the north and Sakponba in the south. This administration is doing the hard work to get it right.”

Part of the strategy includes a smart balance between sustainability and accessibility. While rural areas continue to enjoy free water access through designated outlets, urban homes will pay a small fee just ₦600 per 1,000 litres through metered connections. A fraction of what residents used to spend on tanker deliveries.

“This approach has significantly reduced waste,” Ekhosuehi noted. “People take more care when they know the value of what they’re receiving. At the same time, nobody in rural communities is left out.”

The progress has not gone unnoticed. During the tour, Chief of Staff to the Governor, Mallam Gani Audu, praised the project as a model for infrastructure revival across the state.

“What we’ve seen is not just functional but impressive,” he said. “The team has done a fantastic job, and I will be making a full report to the governor recommending further support to accelerate the reticulation process across Edo Central.”

And for the residents of Ugboha, the change is already tangible. Community members like Mr. Endurance Azobor and Mrs. Elizabeth Okosun expressed heartfelt appreciation to the government for transforming their daily lives.

“We used to fetch water from faraway rivers, risking our health and safety,” Azobor said. “Now we have clean water right outside our homes. This is something we prayed for, and the governor has answered.”

The upgrade has touched every core component of the water system: from the pumping house with its new high-pressure systems to the fully automated treatment and filtration units. Outdated materials have been replaced, and for the first time, the entire infrastructure is built to last.

As more communities come online and construction pushes ahead, the people of Edo are beginning to believe again that basic services, long taken for granted elsewhere, can finally be theirs too.

Governor Okpebholo’s water revolution is not just about pipes and pumps. It’s about dignity, health, and hope flowing through every faucet.