Hundreds of residents of Ututu community in Arochukwu Local Government Area of Abia State have expressed outrage over the commissioning of a non-functional borehole by the state government.
The angry villagers described the project as fraudulent and deceptive, demanding an immediate probe by Governor Alex Otti.
In a petition signed by the President of the Concerned Ututu Youth for Good Governance, Comrade Nwankwo Okeke, the group alleged that the solar-powered borehole, located at Amaebem in Ututu, functioned only on the day of its commissioning.
event was reportedly conducted with fanfare by the Majority Leader of the Abia State House of Assembly, Hon. Uchenna Okoro Kalu, who represented the Governor.
The youths further claimed that, after inquiries, they discovered that the government did not construct a new borehole but merely promised to rehabilitate an existing one.
According to them, representatives of the state had pledged to refund the community’s expenses on the project but instead handed over only ₦200,000, repainted the old tank stand and storage tanks, and rushed to commission it.
“One of the community members alleged that on the night before the commissioning, a water tanker arrived at Amaebem, apparently to fill the tanks. The question is, why the grand deceit? Is ₦200,000 up to the current cost of one tank, let alone drilling a borehole in a rural area that costs nearly ₦3 million?”the petition stated.
The aggrieved community members also accused Governor Otti of marginalising Ututu, lamenting that the town has been neglected in project distribution and appointments. They noted that while neighbouring communities such as Arochukwu, Ihechiowa, and Abam have benefited from multiple government projects, Ututu has been left with what they termed “a failed borehole project.”
“The records are there. We voted for him as our brother. We can’t understand why we are being marginalised both in projects and appointments,” the group declared.
Dignitaries who attended the controversial commissioning included the Mayor of Arochukwu LGA, Engr. Dr. Okereke Eze Aru; the Council Secretary, Hon. Okore Chinedu Samuel; the Councillor representing Ututu Ward, Hon. Onyedika Ufere; the Education Secretary, Hon. Chijioke Azuma; and some members of the Abia State House of Assembly who accompanied Hon. Okoro to the event.
