The Enugu State Government has dismissed as misleading a viral video alleging neglect of Ugbene community in Uzo Uwani Local Government Area, clarifying that the Community and Social Development Agency (CSDA) had initiated intervention processes in the area, which were ultimately stalled by communal disagreements and non-compliance with project requirements.
Thank you for reading this post, don't forget to subscribe!Responding to the controversy, the General Manager of CSDA, Mr. Diamond Monday Ani, explained that the Agency had undertaken sensitisation visits and conducted a Participatory Rural Appraisal in Ugbene as part of steps toward delivering a water project.
However, the process was disrupted by serious internal conflicts within the community, including resistance from some youths.
According to him, the community also declined to meet the standard counterpart funding requirement, a key condition for accessing CSDA intervention projects.
Furthermore, the elected Community Project Management Committee (CPMC), responsible for documentation and processing of the Community Development Plan (CDP), failed to complete the procedural steps necessary for funding approval.
He stressed that CSDA projects are community-driven and anchored on participation, ownership, and shared responsibility. “Where communities cooperate and fulfil their obligations, projects are delivered seamlessly and sustainably,” he noted.
Despite the setback in a section of Ugbene, the Agency clarified that development has not bypassed Uzo Uwani LGA. A functional CSDA-assisted borehole currently serves Ugwugbene Ajima, which belongs to the same broader community cluster as Ajuona Ugbene, although situated on elevated terrain.
Beyond Ugbene, records of projects executed under CSDA-CARES and Additional Financing initiatives reflect sustained investment in rural infrastructure across the LGA.
Under CSDA-CARES, benefiting 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.
Similarly, under CSDA Additional Financing, landmark 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.
These interventions, funded through State, Federal Government, World Bank-supported programmes and NG-CARES initiatives, he stated, demonstrate a measurable footprint of development across Uzo Uwani.
While acknowledging that frustrations over water access in certain locations may be genuine, he maintained that it is inaccurate to portray Uzo Uwani as neglected or abandoned.
Ani said that under the administration of Governor Peter Ndubuisi Mbah, rural development, water access, sanitation and infrastructure remain central pillars of governance, adding that ongoing projects across Uzo Uwani and other local government areas underscore the government’s commitment to inclusive growth and grassroots empowerment.
He reiterated the State Government’s openness to dialogue and constructive engagement with all communities, emphasizing that structured cooperation remains the pathway to ensuring that no community is left behind.