A Methodist leader in Nigeria’s southeastern Abia State has praised the region’s improved security under Governor Alex Otti’s administration while calling for urgent action to address water shortages in rural communities. Bishop Ikemefuna Tasie of the Nneochi Diocese highlighted the progress during a Sunday ceremony marking the 30th anniversary of the diocese, where he reflected on the 2022 kidnapping of former Methodist Prelate Samuel Kanu-Uche and other clergy members by armed groups.
The bishop described how the high-profile abduction, which occurred near Umunneochi Local Government Area, triggered widespread fear among residents. Many fled urban centers or avoided returning to their villages, while farmers hesitated to tend crops due to security risks. “It was here that our former Prelate, His Eminence Kanu Uche, was kidnapped for ransom,” Tasie recounted, acknowledging the incident as a low point for the region. He credited Governor Otti’s security reforms with curbing violence, stating that coordinated efforts had “checkmated the terrorist onslaughts” of criminal groups. While expressing confidence that remaining militants would be “smoked out” from hideouts, he emphasized the need for sustained vigilance to protect rural livelihoods.
Beyond security challenges, the religious leader spotlighted infrastructure gaps affecting daily life. He appealed for state support to fund a diocesan water project, explaining that geological barriers—specifically thick bedrock layers in Isuochi soil—prevent communities from drilling functional boreholes. Contaminated water sources, he warned, pose health risks and exacerbate unemployment as youths lack opportunities tied to water management initiatives. “If achieved, this project would save lives and create jobs,” Tasie said, linking infrastructure development to broader social stability.
Responding to these concerns, Abia’s Commissioner for Lands and Housing, represented by Permanent Secretary Ukeje Ukpabi, reiterated the state’s commitment to expanding clean water access. He confirmed plans to implement water programs “in every nook and cranny” of Abia, aligning with broader efforts to improve rural development. The governor’s office also urged continued cooperation between faith groups and government bodies to address community needs.
The anniversary event underscored the interconnected challenges of security and resource accessibility in the region. While improvements in safety measures have enabled some residents to cautiously resume daily activities, persistent gaps in essential services highlight the long road to recovery. Local leaders remain hopeful that sustained government intervention will foster stability, though the call for water infrastructure support signals unresolved priorities in Nigeria’s ongoing battle against rural underdevelopment.
