Minister of Water Resources, Utsev under fire over medical outreach in Benue South amid acute water scarcity

Residents of Benue South Senatorial District (Zone C) have expressed strong disapproval over a recent medical outreach sponsored by the Minister of Water Resources and Sanitation, Joseph Terlumun Utsev, describing the initiative as a “misplaced priority.”

The outreach, which commenced on April 3, 2025, at the Primary Healthcare Centre in Owukpa, Ogbadibo Local Government, and continued on April 4 at PHC Otukpo in Otukpo Local Government, was aimed at providing free medical services to the people.

However, the initiative has been met with criticism from community leaders and citizens who argued that the pressing need of the zone is access to clean and potable water, not free healthcare services.

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Residents are forced to drink from muddy ponds, shallow wells, and contaminated streams, exposing them to life-threatening diseases.

At the centre of this crisis is the long-abandoned Otobi Water Works, a facility once relied upon for clean water, but which has remained dormant for years.

Instead of responding to the deepening water crisis, critics said the minister is offering palliatives in the form of medical outreach.

Prominent voices from the region have accused the minister of neglecting his core mandate, especially in a region plagued by severe water scarcity.

Dave Ogbole, former Principal Special Assistant to immediate past Governor Samuel Ortom on Strategic Investment, questioned the Minister’s priorities.

He said, “I thought the Minister would avail himself and his office to attend to the chronic water needs of Zone C. Instead, he is commissioning water plants in Zones A and B. Abi, is he the Tiv Minister of Water Resources alone? While I commend this medical effort, it falls short of our expectations. Let Engr. Utsev deal with the root causes of diseases—which is the absence of water—rather than treat the symptoms.”;

Eloyi Ogbe, a chieftain of the All Progressives Congress (APC), called the move an insult to the people of the district.

“This is an insult to our sensibilities. Have we been described as a people full of sicknesses? What the people of Benue South need is potable water supply, not free medical treatment. Otukpo has suffered the worst of water supply challenges. We are aware the federal government awarded contracts for water projects in Zones A and B. What happened to Zone C?”;

He added that the minister should align with the state government’s efforts to provide potable water rather than what he described as a “tokenist”; outreach.

Hon Comrade Daniel Edoache Atayi, a former lawmaker and APC chieftain, also decried the exclusion of Zone C from key federal water projects approved for Benue State.

“The three water treatment plants approved by the federal government for Benue State are all situated in Zones A and B, leaving out Zone C. Are these projects rewards for votes or the dividends of democracy meant to be evenly shared? The Idoma people must reject this kind of deceit. Effective governance should be bottom-up. He cannot decide for Idoma what our needs are.”;

Other citizens also joined in the criticism.

Alade Bernard, a concerned citizen, lamented the neglect of the zone in terms of infrastructure and appointments.

“This is the only thing they can do or bring to Zone C. When it comes to infrastructure and appointments, the zone is worthy of none. So sad.”;

Christopher Orafa pointed to efforts by individuals abroad to alleviate the water crisis:

“Otukpo lacks water so much that my friend in the Netherlands, Inni Innocent, pays for tankers to supply people free water. As Minister of Water Resources, providing water should be his priority. Rice and medical outreach have turned into bait for politicians.”;

He also questioned the political optics of the programme, asking, “Why is Akume on the banner?”;

Terfa Nyaku Nyikpam expressed concern over the deviation from the Minister’s responsibilities:

“Has Prof. Utsev become the Minister of Health? He should be lobbying for water projects, more dams, and solutions to flooding. This is shameful.”;

Shamo Tertsea, in a sarcastic tone, wrote: “Kai, our politicians with little or no human sympathy. Minister for Water Resources dey treat pesin. Oga, you be Doctor abi Nurse? Wetin happen to good quality water?”;

The backlash shows a growing frustration in Zone C over perceived marginalization in federal projects and the need for tailored solutions to local challenges.