Obi’s Media office challenges claims Over Anambra Water Corporation workers, salary arrears

Peter Obi’s media office has challenged claims that workers of the Anambra State Water Corporation were owed substantial salary arrears during his tenure as governor, as well as allegations that about 200 workers died while he was in office.

The claims were dismissed in a statement issued by Chief Barr. Jeo-Martins Uzodike, Commissioner for Information to the former Anambra State governor.

Uzodike described the allegations as part of renewed attempts to question Obi’s record in office and challenged those making the claims to produce verifiable evidence.

The statement specifically demanded records showing the number of Water Corporation workers who allegedly died during Obi’s administration, the corporation’s total workforce at the time and comparable figures from previous and subsequent administrations.

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

On the corporation’s financial position and workers’ welfare, Obi’s media office said the issues should be considered within the provisions of the Anambra State Water Corporation Law (Cap. 150).

It cited Sections 4(1) and 26 of the law, which place responsibility on the corporation to develop, provide, conserve and distribute water, while requiring it to generate sufficient revenue from its operations to meet its working expenses.

According to the statement, Obi engaged the corporation’s management several times over the challenges facing the agency and requested a workable blueprint for improving water supply.

The former governor, it said, offered government support, including financial assistance or guaranteed borrowing, subject to the provisions of the law.

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However, when the management allegedly failed to present actionable proposals, the Obi administration entered into a partnership with the European Union to rehabilitate major waterworks in Nnewi, Onitsha and Awka.

The rehabilitation programme, according to the statement, remained ongoing when Obi left office in 2014.

The administration also provided boreholes in more than 300 schools as part of measures to improve access to water in public institutions, the statement said.

Obi’s media office also rejected claims that the former governor left behind substantial salary liabilities to Water Corporation workers.

It recalled that in 2014, following court proceedings and subsequent administrative actions, government statements and paid advertisements announced the settlement of claimed salary arrears and other financial liabilities owed to the workers.

The statement questioned why the same alleged arrears had resurfaced in current public discussions.

It also restated Obi’s position on his broader financial record as governor, saying he neither borrowed from commercial banks nor raised a bond during his tenure.

According to the statement, Obi left office without outstanding obligations to contractors and suppliers for completed and certified projects, pension and gratuity arrears, and with funds remaining in the state treasury.

The former governor’s office further alleged that some financing arrangements secured between financial institutions and the Federal Government had subsequently been portrayed as conventional borrowing when used to assess Obi’s administration.

It added that some of the same funding arrangements were later utilised by subsequent administrations that, according to the statement, claimed not to have borrowed.

Uzodike urged the public to assess the allegations against documentary evidence, relevant laws and administrative records.

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