The Enugu State Government has dismissed as misleading a viral video alleging that Ugbene community in Uzo-Uwani Local Government Area was neglected in the execution of development projects, particularly a proposed water scheme.
Responding to the claims, the General Manager of the Community and Social Development Agency (CSDA), Hon. Monday Diamond Ani said the narrative circulating online does not reflect the true situation, insisting that communal disputes within Ugbene stalled the intervention.
According to the CSDA boss, the agency had initiated steps to execute a water project in the community but was met with internal resistance.
“During a sensitisation visit and Participatory Rural Appraisal exercise, the Agency encountered serious internal conflicts within the community, including resistance from some youths, which disrupted the process,” he explained.
Ani further disclosed that the community failed to meet key requirements necessary for project approval.
“The community declined to pay the required counterpart contribution — a standard condition for benefiting from CSDA intervention projects,” he said, adding that the elected Community Project Management Committee (CPMC) also “failed to complete necessary steps for funding approval.”
Borehole Already Serving Cluster Community
Despite the setback in part of Ugbene, the agency noted that development has not bypassed Uzo-Uwani LGA. A functional CSDA-assisted borehole is currently serving Ugwugbene Ajima, described as part of the same broader community cluster as Ajuona Ugbene, though located on elevated terrain.
The government emphasized that several communities across Uzo-Uwani have benefited from projects under CSDA-CARES and Additional Financing initiatives.
Under CSDA-CARES, beneficiary communities include:
- Nimbo — water borehole and toilet facilities
- Ukpabi — water borehole and toilet facilities
- Nkpunator Nkpologu — water borehole
- Ojjor — water borehole
- Ugwugbene Ajima — water borehole
- Nrobo — water borehole
- Asaba — water borehole
- Iggah — borehole project pending funding due to earlier delays
Under CSDA Additional Financing, projects delivered include:
- Nkpologu — borehole and electricity extension
- Adani — town hall and box culverts
- Adabaa — town hall and toilet facilities
- Ogbosu Umulokpa — double-cell box culvert, road construction, and secondary school blocks
- Awkunibor — borehole and school desks
- Amagu Umulokpa — road, box culverts, and transformer installation
- Iggah — town hall and electricity extension
- Ogurugu — open market stalls and electricity extension
- Uvuru — electricity extension
- Akiyi Umulokpa — town hall and road construction
The projects were funded through state and federal government resources, World Bank-supported programmes, and NG-CARES initiatives.
‘Projects Are Community-Driven’
The government reiterated that CSDA interventions are community-driven and require cooperation and fulfillment of counterpart obligations.
“CSDA projects are community-driven and require active participation, cooperation, and fulfillment of counterpart obligations by benefiting communities. Where communities align with these requirements, projects are successfully delivered and sustained,” the agency stated.
While acknowledging that the concerns raised in the viral video reflect genuine frustrations over water access in certain areas, officials maintained that it is inaccurate to suggest that Uzo-Uwani LGA has been sidelined.
Under Governor Peter Ndubuisi Mbah’s administration, the government said rural development, water access, sanitation, and infrastructure remain top priorities.
The state assured that it remains open to dialogue and collaboration with communities willing to engage constructively, stressing its commitment to ensuring that no community is left behind.
