By Michael Effiong

I do not know Callistus  Uko personally but my attention was recently drawn to an article he wrote rubbishing and diminishing the water scheme recently commissioned by Governor Umo Eno, Phd in Ogu-Itu Mbunoso in Ini LGA.

One was aghast at the sheer lack of knowledge exhibited by the writer and the hatred in his heart. How can someone be an enemy of such an impactful project?

In the estimation of the Ukos of this world, the project is what any LG could have executed and then of course, our Governor is a “big” man who should not be wasting his executive time with such “small” people or commission such a project.

Well, I beg to disagree. If he had paid some attention to the activities of the Umo Eno-led administration and even read his speeches, he would have realized that acting in the manner he described above, was totally out of character and perhaps he would not have written his diatribe.

He would have realized that the R in the government’s ARISE Agenda stands for Rural Development which this project falls into and would have even know the significance of Governor Eno’s physical presence and the message that sends to that community and the rest of the state.

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Late Afrobeat king, Fela Anikulapo in one of his most popular compositions, titled “water “ sang: “ If you wan go wash, na water you go use, If want cook soup, na water you go use, if your head dey hot, na water you use…”

In praising the importance of water and its various uses, Fela surmised that “There is nothing you can do without water” and then ended with the chorus ” Water, him No Get enemy.” But it seemed my brother,  Uko has not encountered this great song, because if he had, he would not declare war against the provision of water.

Governor Umo Eno drinking water directly from the water scheme to show it is safe

After meandering through a lot of hogwash,  Uko devotes an inordinate amount of space pontificating on what the governor’s vision and focus should be, desperately trying to defend the premise of his article.

Uko stated that this was not “ a high-impact” project”, advising that the Governor should rather  “prioritize initiatives that will leave lasting legacy”

Dr Elisha Attai displaying the former and current water in bottles

I could not but laugh out loud as I remember a Yoruba proverb, “E nu dun ro fo”, which literally translates to “it is easy to cook a wonderful vegetable soup with your mouth” or using a more relatable example, the best footballers are those on the couch watching the match from their television.

Why have I described Uko’s sense of reasoning in such lowly terms? I was personally in Ogu on the day the project was commissioned and tears flowed from the corner of my eyes especially when my friend, brother and fellow Rotarian, Dr. Elisha Attai mounted the stage to speak.

Dr. Elisha described the excruciating pain his people have been suffering for many decades with lack of potable water. He revealed that it was difficult to find water in the area and when they do, what they find and have been drinking was yellowish, which led to so many diseases.

Beaming with so much joy, Dr. Elisha who spoke on behalf of the Ogu Leadership Forum declared that this project was Godsend.  He went on to show samples of the water they were drinking before and the crystal clear water they have now been provided by the government.

But let’s get real: This was not a mere borehole project, it is a water plant and it took a very dogged Governor to deliver it. It was revealed that before completion, the Governor had to change contractors until he got one that could achieve his aim-which was to make good water flow in Ogu.

Uko and his likes have to name any LG in Nigeria that has the resources to embark on and complete this kind of project. Maybe he is one of those who thinks that LG autonomy equates unlimited funds.

In case he does not know, the water plant comes with a borehole of 660 feet dug with a fully mechanized rotary rig! What this means is that to find water, the contractor had to dig the length of a 55-storey building or just imagine digging the distance of a 220-metre race under your feet!

In addition, it has a water treatment plant which is 100% chemical free and derived from naturally-existing minerals. The plant has the following capabilities: 99 % particle reduction, iron removal, Ph correction, eliminating growth of bacteria and foul odour.

Furthermore, water from the plant is reticulated. That is, the water is automatically distributed from Denmark-made  Grundfos solar pump to at least six locations within 6 communities including the community clinic.

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Though they had been enjoying the benefits of this project since its completion months back, the joy on the faces of the people on that day was not only infectious but indescribable. For them this was certainly, a high impact project, even if it means nothing to Uko and his likes.

Indeed, What Uko has done with his drivel is to stoke the ire of Ogu people by questioning the presence of the Governor on one of their greatest days on earth as described by an elderly traditional ruler.

Imagine if the Governor was not there, that local government would not have benefitted from an additional road, two of their indigenes would not get automatic employment as personal aides to oversee the maintenance of the project, the General Hospital and the Ogu Community Hall, may not have received such immediate attention.

Finally, Governor Eno has gradually been painting a picture of what he envisions as his legacy. He says, he wants to make an impact in the hearts and minds of people by delivering life-touching projects. No doubt, it is through projects like this, located in the most rural of communities, that he is building his own lasting legacy- and from all indications, the people are loving it.

Ogu Project: Water No Get Enemy Except Callistus Uko

Michael Effiong,  Senior Special Assistant to Governo Umo Eno writes from Lagos