Ondo Begins Major Water Revival as Gov Aiyedatiwa Flags Off Owena Dam Rehabilitation
December, 10th 2026
By EERC Akure.
In a decisive push to end decades of unreliable water supply, Ondo State on Tuesday launched a multi-million-dollar rehabilitation of the long-stalled Owena Dam Water Treatment Plant, a project expected to restore pipe-borne water to more than 1.3 million residents across seven local government areas.
Governor Lucky Orimisan Aiyedatiwa, speaking at the groundbreaking ceremony in Igbara-Oke, Ifedore Local Government Area, said the initiative—supported by the Agence Française de Développement (AFD) and the African Development Bank (AfDB)—marks a turning point in the state’s quest for clean and sustainable water.
Calling the event “a revival of a long-abandoned vision,” the governor said the intervention would transform the Owena Dam from a symbol of lost opportunity into a hub for potable water, irrigation, fisheries, renewable energy and even tourism.
Under the Urban Water Supply Project, Ondo State will rehabilitate the moribund treatment plant, install new transmission mains to Akure and neighbouring communities, construct 7,500m³ reservoirs and expand distribution networks. The AfDB-funded component will strengthen sanitation systems and extend reliable water access to Akure South, Akure North, Idanre, Ifedore, Ondo East, Ondo West and Ile-Oluji/Okeigbo.
As part of a broader modernisation effort, Aiyedatiwa also unveiled Water Quality Testing Kits and Treatment Tablets for households to curb cholera and typhoid risks, as well as Mobile Solar-Powered Irrigation Pumps for farmers.
The governor thanked AFD, AfDB, the African Growth Together Fund (AGTF) and the Federal Government for their support while urging contractors to maintain high standards throughout the project.
Representing the Minister of Agriculture, Senator Abubakar Kyari, Ayo Adekoya-Benson said the initiative ends years of stagnation in Akure’s water infrastructure and signals a fresh commitment to safe, renewable water for all.
Commissioner for Water Resources, Public Sanitation and Hygiene, Ayodele Akande, described the groundbreaking as a historic breakthrough, recalling that the last major intervention—the 2009 Owena Dam project—failed to reach its full potential.
The renewed project includes rehabilitation of a 60,000-cubic-metre dam, treatment plant upgrades, construction of new pipelines to Akure and significant network expansion aimed at bridging long-standing supply gaps.
Engineer Kehinde Michael, Project Manager for AGTF, highlighted the project’s three components—water and sanitation infrastructure development, institutional capacity strengthening and project management—designed to reposition the Ondo State Water Corporation for long-term viability.
He outlined the financing plan: AfDB (US$142 million), AGTF (US$20 million), Ondo State (US$36.9 million) and the Federal Government (US$2.5 million). The infrastructure rollout includes nearly 45km of transmission lines, over 690km of distribution pipelines, new reservoirs, rehabilitation of treatment plants in Owo, Ondo and Ibaraki and scaled-up customer metering.
AfDB representative Dr Abdul Kamara described the initiative as transformative and aligned with the state’s core development pillars—health, infrastructure and human capital—while contributing to AfDB’s “High Five” priorities for Africa.
He emphasized that the project moves Ondo State from planning to execution and urged strict adherence to timelines.
Governor Aiyedatiwa later inspected facilities at the Owena Dam and laid the foundation for a new Ondo State Water Corporation office complex and laboratory in Akure.
The event was attended by top state officials, traditional rulers, local government chairmen and other dignitaries.
