Peter Obi’s Office Demands Evidence Over Alleged Water Corporation Arrears, Claims of 200 Workers’ Deaths

By Our Correspondent

The media office of former Anambra State Governor, Peter Obi, has challenged allegations surrounding unpaid salary arrears owed to workers of the Anambra State Water Corporation and claims that up to 200 employees died during his administration.

The office described the allegations as part of renewed efforts to discredit Obi’s record in office, urging those making the claims to provide verifiable documentary evidence.

In a statement issued by Chief Barrister Joe-Martins Uzodike, former Commissioner for Information under Obi, the media office demanded clarification on the alleged deaths and the Corporation’s financial obligations during the former governor’s tenure.

Uzodike called on those advancing the allegations to provide official 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.

The statement questioned the basis of attributing the reported deaths specifically to Obi’s tenure.

> “Are Water Corporation workers uniquely susceptible to death under one administration and not under others?” the statement asked.

It maintained that claims concerning workers’ deaths should be supported by official records rather than unsubstantiated allegations.

Addressing the Corporation’s finances and workers’ welfare, the statement referenced the Anambra State Water Corporation Law (Cap. 150), particularly Sections 4(1) and 26.

According to the statement, the law assigns 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.

The statement argued that Obi’s administration did not neglect the Corporation’s challenges, noting that the former governor held discussions with its management on several occasions.

It said Obi requested a viable blueprint for improving water supply and offered government support, including financial assistance or guaranteed borrowing, within the limits of the enabling legislation.

The statement further disclosed that after the Corporation’s management allegedly failed to present actionable solutions, the Obi administration partnered with the European Union to rehabilitate major waterworks in Nnewi, Onitsha and Awka.

It said the rehabilitation programme was still ongoing when Obi left office in 2014.

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

The statement rejected allegations that Obi left substantial financial liabilities owed 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 Corporation’s workers.

The media office subsequently questioned why the alleged arrears had resurfaced in current public discussions. It called for the relevant administrative and financial records to be examined in order to establish the actual status of the liabilities.

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

According to the statement, Obi left office without outstanding obligations to contractors and suppliers for completed and certified projects, or arrears of pensions and gratuities, and left funds in the state treasury.

The statement further alleged that some attempts to portray the administration as heavily indebted involved describing concessionary development financing secured between financial institutions and the Federal Government as conventional borrowing.

It also claimed that some of the same funding arrangements were later utilised by subsequent administrations that maintained they had not borrowed.

Uzodike urged the public to assess the renewed allegations against Obi through documentary evidence and relevant legal and administrative records.

The statement concluded by reiterating the former governor’s political ambitions and readiness to serve at the national level.

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

The claims concerning the settlement of arrears, financial obligations and project financing remain matters requiring verification against official records and independent documentation.

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