Delta Communities Call for Scrap of Water Ministry as Water Crisis Deepens

Despite Delta State’s strategic location in the water-rich Niger Delta, residents continue to grapple with a severe water crisis, raising serious concerns over the performance of the state’s Water Resources Ministry. Frustrated by the lack of clean water, communities have turned to costly alternatives such as private boreholes and water vendors, while many others rely on unsafe sources like streams and open wells.

Health risks and financial burdens have become part of daily life, especially in rural areas where women and children walk long distances for water. Numerous government-initiated projects in areas like Asaba, Warri, and Ughelli have either stalled or operate far below capacity due to poor maintenance, vandalism, or funding gaps. Experts attribute the persistent crisis to governance failures, environmental neglect, and underinvestment in water infrastructure.

Community leaders, including Matthew Ugochukwu, have called for the outright scrapping of the Water Resources Ministry, accusing it of wasting public funds without delivering results. He noted that residents spend between ₦4,000 and ₦7,000 monthly on water, yet many still consume contaminated water that leads to disease outbreaks.

In response, Delta State Commissioner for Water Resources, Dr. Isaac Wilkie, assured that government is intensifying efforts to improve water access. He pointed to ongoing projects in Ibusa and Ogwashi-Uku and the rehabilitation of market water schemes in Asaba. However, scepticism remains high among residents, many of whom have lost faith due to repeated unfulfilled promises.