Bye-Election: PDP Candidate, Ombugadu kick-starts borehole project across senatorial zone

From Abel Zwanke, Lafia

The  candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP)  for the forthcoming Nasarawa North Senatorial Bye-Election, David Emmanuel Ombugadu, on Friday commenced a major water intervention project across the senatorial district.

He kick started drilling of massive boreholes beginning simultaneously in several communities across the Nasarawa North Senatorial  zone.

Speaking shortly after inspecting the commencement of drilling works in Wakama and Akapata communities of Nasarawa Eggon Local Government Area, Ombugadu said the project was a fulfilment of his commitment to addressing the basic needs of the people and improving their living conditions through practical interventions.

According to him, access to clean and safe drinking water remains a fundamental necessity for every community, stressing that the suffering endured by residents, particularly women and children who travel long distances in search of water, informed his decision to initiate the project.

The PDP candidate expressed satisfaction with the level of work already undertaken, noting that extensive surveys conducted across the district had helped identify communities with the greatest need for potable water. He assured residents that the intervention would be sustained and expanded to reach more communities.

Ombugadu also expressed optimism ahead of Saturday’s bye-election, saying the massive support and goodwill he had received from residents across Akwanga, Wamba and Nasarawa Eggon local government areas had strengthened his confidence in the democratic process.

He called on the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), security agencies and other relevant stakeholders to ensure a peaceful, transparent and credible election, stressing that the will of the people must be allowed to prevail. He equally urged voters to conduct themselves peacefully and come out in large numbers to exercise their civic responsibility.

The project, which is targeted at addressing the perennial challenge of water scarcity affecting many rural communities, is being implemented in the build-up to the bye-election scheduled for Saturday, June 20, 2026.

Sources close to the project disclosed that extensive surveys have already been conducted in over 5,000 locations across the district to identify communities most in need of potable water and determine suitable sites for the intervention.

The exercise covers communities in Akwanga, Wamba and Nasarawa Eggon local government areas, which make up the Nasarawa North Senatorial District.

According to the project coordinator, Mr. Mavous John, drilling activities officially commenced on Friday, with equipment and technical personnel mobilised to various communities to begin work simultaneously.

Mavous, who spoke while monitoring the exercise in Wakama and Akapata communities where drilling commenced, said the intervention forms part of Ombugadu’s commitment to improving the welfare of residents through people-oriented projects that directly address their daily needs.

Several communities witnessing the commencement of the project described the development as timely, noting that access to clean and safe drinking water remains one of the major challenges confronting many settlements in the district.

Residents said women and children, who often bear the burden of travelling long distances in search of water, would be among the greatest beneficiaries of the initiative.

Speaking on the development, community stakeholders commended Ombugadu for fulfilling promises made during his engagements with the people during his campaigns, stressing that access to potable water is essential for improved public health and economic productivity.

Traditional leaders in some of the benefiting communities also expressed appreciation for the intervention, describing it as a practical response to a longstanding challenge affecting rural dwellers.

The project implementation team stated that the boreholes would be strategically located to ensure that the largest possible number of residents benefit from the intervention.

They further assured that quality standards would be maintained throughout the execution process to guarantee the durability and sustainability of the facilities.

Political observers have described the initiative as one of the most significant community-focused interventions currently taking place within the district, noting that it demonstrates a commitment to grassroots development beyond political campaigns.