Several years ago, the municipal government of Nanning, a city in southern China, promised residents of Huaqun Village that they would provide running tap water. Eager to enjoy modern amenities, the villagers did away from their old wells and 380,000 yuan (about $58,000) were invested into the project, which began with the installation of a new water pipe.
No progress has been made since 2011, the Southern China Morning Paper reported. Because funding has dried up, the construction team has never again been seen in Huaqun.
The villagers are back to their time-honored tradition of drawing well water, with the except of forty families who don’t have these means and must buy water from local officials. One local official told the Morning Paper that he had nothing to do with the stalled project.
A villager surnamed Liang and other residents spoke with Mr. Huang, head of the local Communist Party committee, who claimed the half-finished water pipe was not within his range of responsibilities.
“Director Huang says it’s a governmental project, so he’s not in charge,” Liang said.
As is often the case in backwater Chinese communities, the story ended inconclusively. Villagers elected representatives to submit multiple appeals to the district government, but have received only silence in response.
Friends Read Free