Obi’s Office Challenges Claims on Water Corporation Arrears, Workers’ Deaths

Peter Obi’s media office has challenged claims concerning alleged arrears owed to workers of the Anambra State Water Corporation and reports that as many as 200 workers died during his tenure as governor.

In a statement issued by Chief Barr. Jeo-Martins Uzodike, Commissioner for Information to Peter Obi, the former governor’s office said the allegations were part of renewed attempts to discredit Obi’s record in office.

The statement urged those making the allegations to provide verifiable records, particularly on the number of Water Corporation workers who allegedly died during Obi’s administration, the Corporation’s total workforce during the period, and comparable figures under previous and subsequent administrations.

“Are Water Corporation workers uniquely susceptible to death under one administration and not under others?” the statement asked, insisting that such claims should be supported by official records rather than allegations.

On the issue of the Corporation’s finances and workers’ welfare, the statement said the matter should be understood within the framework of the Anambra State Water Corporation Law (Cap. 150).

It cited Sections 4(1) and 26 of the law, which assign the Corporation responsibility for developing, providing, conserving and distributing water, while requiring it to generate sufficient revenue from its operations to meet its working expenses.

According to the statement, Obi did not ignore the Corporation’s challenges. It said he held discussions with its management on several occasions and requested a viable blueprint for improving water supply, while offering government support, including financial assistance or guaranteed borrowing, within the limits of the enabling legislation.

The statement said that when the Corporation’s management failed to produce actionable solutions, the Obi administration partnered with the European Union to rehabilitate major waterworks in Nnewi, Onitsha and Awka.

The rehabilitation programme, it said, was still ongoing when Obi left office in 2014.

The administration also provided boreholes in more than 300 schools as part of efforts to address water supply in vital public institutions, according to the statement.

The statement further disputed claims that Obi left substantial liabilities to Water Corporation workers.

It recalled that in 2014, following court proceedings and subsequent administrative actions, government statements and paid advertisements announced that claimed salary arrears and other financial liabilities owed to Water Corporation workers had been settled.

It therefore questioned the re-emergence of the same alleged arrears in current public discourse.

The statement also addressed broader allegations concerning Obi’s financial record as governor, reiterating his position that he did not borrow from commercial banks or raise a bond during his tenure.

It said he left office without outstanding obligations to contractors and suppliers for completed and certified work, or arrears of pensions and gratuities, and left funds in the state treasury.

According to the statement, attempts to portray Obi’s administration as heavily indebted had involved describing concessionary development financing secured between financial institutions and the Federal Government as conventional borrowing.

It further alleged that some of the same funding arrangements were subsequently utilised by other administrations that now maintain that they did not borrow.

Uzodike said the renewed allegations against Obi should be assessed against documentary evidence and the relevant legal and administrative records.

“Mr Peter Obi is on the move, ready and prepared to serve his country at the highest level,” the statement said.