By Abdullateef Bambgose
A socio-cultural group in Benue South, the Otukpo Abakwu Development Association, OAD, has faulted comments attributed to former member of the House of Representatives, Hon. Francis Ottah Agbo, over the Otobi Water Works project, accusing him of attempting to distort facts in order to attack Senator Abba Moro.
The group was reacting to an interview reportedly aired on Idoma Television in which Ottah described the Otobi Water Works as one of the major achievements of Governor Hyacinth Alia in Benue South, while also taking a swipe at Senator Moro.
In a statement signed by Alechenu Ekwu, the group said Ottah’s remarks reflected a misunderstanding of both the constitutional responsibilities of lawmakers and the history of the Otobi Water Works project.
According to the statement, the rehabilitation and expansion of the Otobi Water Works, as well as the broader Otukpo Multipurpose Dam project, predate the current administration and have benefited from interventions by successive governments at both the state and federal levels.
“The constitutional responsibility of a lawmaker is not to execute projects belonging to executive agencies. Attempting to politicise a long-standing public infrastructure project in order to smear political opponents is misleading,” the statement read.
The group further noted that residents of Otukpo and surrounding communities had suffered acute water shortages for decades despite the existence of the water works.
It explained that the Otobi Water Works was originally designed to provide potable water to Otukpo township and neighbouring communities, but had become largely non-functional due to years of neglect, poor maintenance, inadequate funding and disputes involving contractors.
The statement also highlighted several challenges affecting the project, including rapid population growth, environmental concerns, seasonal water scarcity and insecurity around the Otobi-Akpa axis.
According to the group, the larger Otukpo Multipurpose Dam project was conceived to provide potable water, irrigation, hydroelectric power and other economic benefits to communities in Benue South and parts of Benue North.
While commending the ongoing rehabilitation efforts of the Benue State Government under Governor Hyacinth Alia, the group insisted that the project should not be turned into a political tool for attacking opponents.
It urged political actors to focus on constructive engagement and factual discourse rather than what it described as “desperate political propaganda”.
The group also accused Ottah of twisting facts and muddying the narrative surrounding the project.
