From Maurice Okafor, Enugu
The Enugu State Governor Peter Mbah has expressed optimism in impacting social amenities across the 17 Local Government Areas in the state. More importantly, the administration in what it termed as ‘Disruptive Innovation’ is bent on discovering the various socio cultural and economic potentials in the rural communities and harnessing them for even development of the state.
It has been revealed that the means of achieving this feat informed the state government’s 60/40 percent partnership agreement on projects development with the 17 council chairmen.
The implementation of this policy and realisation of the noble dream of developing and harnessing the various potentials in the rural communities in Enugu state is the reason for the current tour of the 17 local government areas embarked upon by the state commissioner for local government,rural development and chieftancy affairs,Deacon Hon. Okey Ogbodo.
The tour is meant to discover the various but yet untapped economic potentials in the rural communities,note the various developmental strides of the Council chairmen,interact with stakeholders,town union executives and other interested parties on rooms for improvement.
The tour of the 17 local government areas embarked upon by the state commissioner for local government,rural development and chieftancy affairs,Deacon Okey Ogbodo is also meant to resolve all crises areas that would enhance peaceful leadership and development of the rural areas.
The tour commenced on Tuesday,October 31st with a visit to Uzo-Uwani local government area,under Enugu North senatorial district.
At a Town Hall meeting held at the council headquarters at Umulokpa, with the stakeholders,Deacon Ogbodo thanked the people for their unflinching support to Governor Peter Mbah led adminidtration in the state, assuring them that Governor Mbah will unrelentlessly work for the good of the grassroots.
Commissioner Ogbodo noted that Uzo -Uwani local government area has the comparative advantage for agro-allied industries,stating the state government will capitalise on the massive and rich soil in the council area for investments in agriculture,that would create employment opportunities for unemployed youths in the envisaged agro-allied industries to be established in the council area ,ginger food abundancy in the state and attract other socio economic and commercial activities to Uzo Uwani communities.
Deacon Ogbodo cautioned that the present administration in Enugu state demands accountability and transparency by the council chairmen,with emphasis on inclusive administration which would enhance peace and development. He tasked the council chairman and party stakeholders to reconcile differences if any for optimal performance.
Giving account of his stewardship, Hon Chukwudi Nnadozie, Chairman Uzo Uwani LGA enumerated his developmental and political achievements and it’s impacts on the people.
According to him, his administration which started in 2020 has carried out a lot of developmental projects and programmes and above all, worked hard to keep the party intact.
He enumerated his projects to include provision of 300KVA transformers to some Communities, ashphalted 3km road, grading of community roads, provision of security Vehicles and Motorcycles to enhance adequate Security, massive support to the health sector which attracted UNICEF and WHO awards to him.
Nnadozie said he makes prompt payment of workers salaries, just as Traditional Rulers and Town Union President Generals receive stipends from his administrstion as at when due. He also promoted the education sector.
Some of the Stakeholders who spoke during the interactive meeting were HRH Igwe Emma Chukwuemeka Umunna, Chairman Uzo Uwani Traditional Rulers Council, Mr. Mathew Anuka of Uv uru Community confirmed the good works of the Chairman. They promised to maintain peace in their various communities for the good plans of the Governor to strive.
Speaking on behalf of women in politics, Hon. Princess Nwanneka Okoro and Lady Vera Ezeugwu maintained that their chairman has being carrying them along but they want to be involved the more.
The Enugu state commissioner for local government, rural development and chieftancy affsirs, Deacon Okey Ogbodo and his team continued their tour of the 17 local government areas of the state wiyh a visit to Oji River local government area on Thursday, November 2. Stakeholders of Oji River local government area assembled at the council headquarters to interact with him.
Deacon Ogbodo remarked that Oji River local government is well represented in the executive alm of government as two serving commisioners in Governor Mbah’s administration are from Oji River local government area.
He said the state government is still very desirous on how to improve on the lots of the rural dwellers which informed the reason of the local government tour embarked by his ministry.
He disclosed that the proposed Ugwuoba Industrial Park,Oji River is an initiative of Governor Mbah which will turn into reality for the benefit of the people,the South East zone and the country,based on it’s scope and viability.
Speaking on behalf of Oji River traditional rulers,Igwe Sunday Orah, commended Governor Mbah for having done so much within short a period.He said Mbah’s initiatives and achievements so far has shown that he is ready to serve Enugu state.
Some of the stakeholders demanded for more state government projects in communities within the local government. Some demanded for the constructoon of Umuabi-Nachi-Ehuhe Achi hinterland road, as a measure to reduce traffic hold up and pressure on Enugu-9th mile-Udi road- Oji River -Achi road. They pointed that it will serve as an alternative route to Achi with a shorter distance from Enugu in addition to opening up the rural areas interconnected along it’s route.
Another stakeholder lamented that the Oji River South Development center at Ugwuoba, whose roof was burnt some time ago, is still abandoned as such that the workers no longer come to work,most especially nurses and other health attendants attached to the Development center.
The Oji River Council Chairman,Hon. Kingsley Onyeagba,represented by his deputy,Hon Sopuluchi Onyebuchi,enumerated the achievements of his boss to include purchase and installation of a transformer at Oji -Urban, grading of several rural roads leading to the communities, Youth empiwerment, rural farm roads,drilling of boreholes etc.
The tour will continue this week with a visit to some other council areas.
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