The People of Umuadogwa and Inere, both in Umuida community, Igbo-Eze north local government area of Enugu State has urged the state government and other relevant authorities to quickly address the water scarcity plaguing the town even as there is heightened fear of water borne diseases epidemic in the area.
Speaking to 247ureports through the Home Branch Chairman, Adogwa Development Union, Mr. Hillary Onah, regretted that the Water Bore Hole sank by an agency of Enugu State Government, Local Empowerment Environment Management Project(LEEMP), in 2008, haven paid their counter-part fund,did not get a cup of water from the project.
On the water bore hole in Inere, Onah noted that, “The project was attracted by Senator Ayogu Eze, representing Enugu-North senatorial Consistency under MDG’s project in 2007.
“The project too, never functioned for a day. What the committee that spearheaded the construction of the project did was to fill the over-head tanks with water on the day of it’s commissioning and brought a generator to power the Sumo. They deceived the locals and as soon as the water in the tank finished, the scaled fell off our eyes.”
ACTION OF THE COMMITTEE.
According to Onah, “The committee headed by Thaddeus Eze,Traditional Prime Minister of Umuida autonomous community, embezzled the funds meant for the projects and carted away the water bore hole machines. The two bore holes(Umuadogwa,Inere) machines were cannibalized the same time.
“So we believe its the same people that mastermind the disappearance of the machines”.
COMMITTEE’S REACTION
The leader of the Committee, Mr. Thaddues Eze who alighted on seeing Eastern Voice denied claims of embezzlement by his committee, insisting that the machines at the bore holes were carted away by unknown miscreants.
REACTION OF THE YOUTHS.
Being disgruntled over the inaction of the Neighborhood Watch Group who could not protect these facilities in their area, the Youths took up the task of providing security in the community.
Mr. Onah, who is also the President of the Youth Forum in the community lamented that,”The Traditional Ruler, Chief Felix Attah, did not make any attempt to bring the perpetrators of the act to book.
“The Igwe did not even address the community on the incident let alone make any move to salvage the situation.”
THE PEOPLE’S PLIGHT
Following the dysfunctional state of the water bore hole for the past six years, Onah maintained that the people of the community now pass through excruciating task of fetching water from adjourning neighboring villages and Towns.
His words: “We feel extremely marginalized about this situation. The water our people fetch is from adjourning streams from neighboring villages. The palpable fear of a water borne disease epidemic is rife in the community. We urge Government to quickly come to our aid and address these challenges.”
