By Aniekan Umanah
The poorly informed article by Uko Calistus questioning why Governor Umo Eno personally commissioned the solar-powered community water scheme with reticulation at Ogu Itu Mbonuso in Ini Local Government Area reflects a glaring lack of understanding about both the community and the governor’s ARISE Agenda.
In this public display of ignorance, the writer has exposed his lack of knowledge and must be enlightened. Let us address the issue from multiple angles to provide clarity.
First, Aspiration Two of Governor Umo Eno’s ARISE Agenda focuses on Rural Development, with the provision of potable water for rural communities as a core priority. This vision is being realized through 12 such water projects spread across the federal constituencies in Akwa Ibom State. By delivering these projects, Governor Eno is fulfilling his promise and addressing a critical need.
Furthermore, Calistus should understand that he cannot claim to know better than the stakeholders of Ogu Itu Mbonuso and Ini Local Government Area, who were present at the event and applauded Governor Eno for this much-needed intervention. Their commendation was not mere politeness; it was a heartfelt acknowledgment of a solution to a long-standing problem many thought unsolvable.
Ogu Itu Mbonuso sits on limestone terrain, making it exceptionally difficult to access potable water. This unique challenge has persisted since the era of General Paul Omu, with previous attempts to provide water repeatedly failing. Boreholes installed in the community would break down within three months, leaving the people back at square one.
For decades, cholera and other waterborne diseases plagued the community, causing countless deaths and prompting the establishment of a primary healthcare center in Ogu. The dire situation made clean water the community’s highest priority, far above other infrastructure projects. Without water, roads and other developments would serve little purpose to a population battling contaminated water and disease.
Governor Umo Eno recognized this reality and took decisive action. The Ogu water project, complete with reticulation, not only provides clean water to the people of Ogu but also extends its reach to at least six neighboring villages facing similar challenges. This is a life-saving intervention, not merely a symbolic one.
Effective governance prioritizes community-specific needs. What works for one community may not be a priority for another. For Ogu Itu Mbonuso, clean water is not just a basic necessity—it is a matter of survival. Governor Umo Eno understands this, which is why his ARISE Agenda focuses on rural development and grassroots impact through projects like water supply, rural roads, education, and healthcare.
Governor Eno’s approach is not about flashy, high-profile urban projects but about meaningful interventions that transform lives. He values even the smallest project that addresses the immediate needs of the people.
At the commissioning, Governor Eno addressed potential critics, emphasizing that his interest lies in the welfare of the people, not in grandiose projects. The size of the project is secondary to the value it adds to the community and the problems it solves.
What good would it do to build skyscrapers while allowing people to die from drinking unsafe water? Governor Umo Eno’s leadership ensures that such a tragedy does not occur under his watch.
The water project in Ogu Itu Mbonuso has brought immense relief to the people, who continue to celebrate its impact. It is worth noting that the governor did not stop there. The community also received a new ARISE Compassionate Town Hall, and Ini Local Government Area was promised additional road projects to further improve their lives.
It is, therefore, misguided and wrong to label the Ogu water project as a mistake or to question why Governor Umo Eno personally commissioned it. The project meets a critical need and serves as a shining example of people-centered governance.
Governor Umo Eno is building a legacy rooted in compassion, impact, and sustainable development—one community at a time.
Aniekan Unanah writes from Abak, Akwa Ibom State
