FOR decades, many projects have been abandoned and mismanaged in Ogwashi Ukwu, Delta State, without any consideration of the inevitable dangers .
The Ogwashi Ukwu Earth Dam project was abandoned. Before the execution of the dam, water supply from the Ubu River had been a source of livelihood to many, an oasis to the entire farmers in Ogwashi Ukwu.
I vividly remember the vast multitudes that the Ubu river served. Early in the morning, our fathers would say “fetch me water, for tomorrow morning we must journey to the farm; please take these clothes and wash.”
At that same river, our beloved, hardworking mothers would ferment their cassava tubers for days just to give good aroma to fufu; wash their melons seeds and other farms produce conveniently with cheerful smiles to one another.
Now comes civilisation, an earth dam to generate power and supply water to the people. The government came and we cheered, heartened by their presentation and convincing analysis.
We sacrificed our comfort, gave the weak hope of a better tomorrow, lifting the feeble knees with words of encouragement.
While we strive daily to make ends meet, we are faced with an inevitable dangers an insalubrious water body aimed at jeopardising the future of our loves one’s.
Yet, we are also confronted with an inaccessible General Hospital. Formerly, we cheered and yearned for better governance.
Now, we say “restore our water body, Ubu river, to normalcy.” Where have we gone wrong ? Why us? Why is it that the government cannot even maintain existing projects, nor perfect the mastery of timing? It is only in Nigeria that I have seen a road construction going on during the rainy season.
Our patient is waning. Our tamed spirits are becoming feral and cruel. We don’t have enough to feed, yet you poisoned us with our source of living.
Nature will be our judge. Restore or complete the dam project.
- Ify Okolie,
ifylee2cute@yahoo.com
and then