The Enugu State Government, through the Community and Social Development Agency (CSDA), has responded to a viral video alleging neglect of Ugbene community in Uzo Uwani Local Government Area, describing the claims as misleading and not reflective of ongoing development efforts across the LGA.
According to the General Manager of CSDA, communal challenges within Ugbene hindered the successful execution of a proposed water project in the area some years ago. He explained that during a sensitisation visit and Participatory Rural Appraisal exercise, the Agency encountered serious internal conflicts within the community, including resistance from some youths, which disrupted the process.
The Agency further revealed that the community declined to pay the required counterpart contribution — a standard condition for benefiting from CSDA intervention projects. In addition, the elected Community Project Management Committee (CPMC), responsible for documentation and processing of the Community Development Plan (CDP), failed to complete necessary steps for funding approval.
Despite these setbacks in a section of Ugbene, CSDA emphasized that development has not bypassed Uzo Uwani. In fact, a functional CSDA-assisted borehole currently serves Ugwugbene Ajima, which is part of the same broader community cluster as Ajuona Ugbene, though geographically located on elevated terrain.
Beyond Ugbene, the record of projects delivered under CSDA-CARES and Additional Financing initiatives in Uzo Uwani LGA demonstrates the Enugu State Government’s sustained commitment to rural development.
Under CSDA-CARES, the following communities have benefited:
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, several landmark projects have been executed:
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 the State, Federal Government, World Bank-supported programmes, and NG-CARES initiatives, highlight a broad and measurable footprint of development across Uzo Uwani.
As part of the ongoing efforts to develop rural communities in Enugu State, the CSDA Boss, Hon. Monday Diamond Ani, has embarked on a comprehensive project inspection tour across the local government areas of the state. Having successfully concluded the tour of Enugu East Senatorial Zone and currently inspecting projects in Enugu West Senatorial Zone, the next phase will cover Enugu North Senatorial Zone.
During the Enugu North tour, Hon. Ani and his team will visit Uzo Uwani Local Government Area to assess both completed and ongoing projects. As is customary, video evidence documenting the executed interventions in the LGA will be made available to the general public to ensure openness and public verification of projects delivered.
The State Government reiterated that CSDA projects are community-driven and require active participation, cooperation, and fulfillment of counterpart obligations by benefiting communities. Where communities align with these requirements, projects are successfully delivered and sustained.
Observers note that while concerns raised in the viral video reflect genuine frustrations over access to water in certain locations, it is inaccurate to suggest that Uzo Uwani LGA has been sidelined or abandoned by the Enugu State Government.
Under Governor Peter Ndubuisi Mbah’s administration, rural development, water access, sanitation, and infrastructure remain central priorities.
The ongoing projects across Uzo Uwani and other LGAs stand as evidence of the administration’s commitment to inclusive growth and grassroots empowerment.
The Enugu State Government has assured that it remains open to dialogue and collaboration with all communities willing to embrace peaceful engagement and structured development processes to ensure no community is left behind.
