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From Jude Chinedu, Enugu
Relief has come to Uzomani village in Isiagu Akpawfu Autonomous Community, Nkanu East Local Government Area of Enugu State, as Chief Okechukwu Nnamani has sunk a borehole for the community, ending decades of acute water scarcity.
Speaking during the commissioning of the project, Chief Nnamani, who deals in motor spare parts at Ladipo Market, Lagos, narrated how lack of potable water shaped his childhood and motivated his decision to undertake the project.
“This village, Uzomani, has suffered a lot in terms of water. There was no water here at all. I remember vividly when I was about five years old; my parents would wake me up around 4 a.m., and I would trek a long distance to a stream called Isi Ngene. I would go twice every morning before preparing for school. It was a very difficult task.”
He said the hardship did not end with his childhood, noting that the situation persisted for decades despite several failed attempts to provide a solution.
“The difficulty continued even till today because nobody was able to give my people water. Attempts to dig wells failed because they would block within a few days. For years, my people have been drinking unclean water and falling sick. This problem gave me sleepless nights.”
Chief Nnamani explained that the project became a personal mission, compelling him to set aside his individual ambitions for the sake of his community.
“I decided to drop whatever plans I had. I told myself that I would not buy land, build a house, or do any other personal project unless I first did this to save the lives of my people. This borehole is about life. I want the youths to learn from this. When you go to Anambra State, you will see individuals tarring roads by themselves. We cannot continue to wait for the government; we should start doing something before the government comes,” he added.
Enugu State Liaison Officer of the South East Development Commission, Maduabuchi Edeani, who represented the Enugu State ALGON Chairman and Chairman of Nkanu East Local Government Area, Chief Sydney Edeh, described the project as transformative.
“I am very happy because I know how this village was and I can see what it is becoming now. People are beginning to think back home. If you look at this village before, we had so many problems, but today we are celebrating because people no longer have to go far distances to fetch water,” he said.
Edeani linked the initiative to the development-driven leadership style of Governor Peter Ndubuisi Mbah.
“This project is in line with the vision of Governor Peter Ndubuisi Mbah, who believes in creating opportunities for private individuals to thrive. Chief Nnamani was able to do this because he has seen the pattern of leadership of the governor and the level of development coming to this area. He wants to be part of what is happening, and he has made it clear that what he is doing is to complement the efforts of the state government,” he noted.
The Igwe-elect of Isiagu Akpawfu Autonomous Community, Tony Okoye, expressed appreciation to the donor and urged others to follow his example.
“I am thrilled that this community now has water after so many years of suffering. This is a very significant intervention. I sincerely thank Chief Saint Okechukwu Nnamani for his generosity and commitment to his people. I also call on other well-meaning sons and daughters of Akpawfu community to emulate this young man and contribute to the development of our land,” he said.
Residents described the borehole project as a turning point for the community, saying it would improve health, reduce hardship, and restore hope among villagers who had endured decades without access to clean water.
