From Maurice Okafor, Enugu
The Economic and Development Summit, scheduled to hold tomorrow Tuesday, April 22, 2025 at Oji River Local Government Secretariat, Enugu state, raises hope of championing a new strategy that will facilitate socio-economic development of communities in Oji River local government area,:most especially the Oji River Urban, which contributed immensely in the economy of the defunct Eastern region, East Central state and old Anambra state to a large extent.
The Oji River Economic and Development summit, the first of its kind in the democratic history of the Council area is being packaged by the current administration of the Council led by Hon. Greg Anyaegbudike.
It is themed, “Investment Opportunities in Oji River Local Government Area and Projections in the next 30 years”.
The issue of non availability of electric supply to Oji Urban and its environs is presently a pain in the neck of the residents and small and medium enterprises (SMEs) n the town. In the past two months,the electric supply from Enugu Electric Distribution Company(EEDC) has been dysfunctional.
In a chat with the EEDC Public Relations Manager, Mr Emeka Ezeh ,he said the company is working assiduously to correct the fault and get Oji River re connected. But the problem has lingered for more two months, with consequences of diminishing and putting socio economic activities in the town in jeopardy.
It could be recalled that Oji River town is the home of the famous ‘Oji Thermal Power Station’ which was one of the major sources of power to the defunct Easter region and old East Central State, Utilizing coal bricks sourced from the Coal mines in Enugu.
Subsequently, Oji Power station was reduced to a transmission with the privatisation of the National Electric Power Authority (NEPA) by the ex-President Goodluck Ebele Jonathan led federal government.
Checks shows that ever in the history of Oji town since the British colonial administration established the famous Thermal station, it has never encountered power outage for a period of two months.
The residents and entrepreneurs who have their businesses in Oji Urban are looking up for solution to restoration of electric supply to Oji Urban and it’s environment.
The issue of restoring reticulation of pipe(plastic) borne water sourced from the Oji River ‘Wonderful water ‘ to Oji Urban and it’s nearby communities is also expected from the summit.
Water with over 99.9 percent purity and high pressure are currently wasting every minute of the day at Oji water wells, established by the British colonial administration. Originally, the water was reticulated to various parts of Oji Urban and institutions with aid of reservoirs built at strategic locations.
The first request the political leaders and other stakeholders from native communities in Oji Urban when they paid a courtesy visit to Hon.Greg.Anyaegbudike when he assumed office is for reticulation of water from Oji water wells to be restored in the town.
The Enugu State College of Health Technology, at Mile 2, Oji River and many other establishments, had enjoyed steady tap water supply reticulated from Oji water wells abnitio
At present, both the Oji River local government secretariat, the Oji GRA residents and Enugu State College of Health Technology undergo pains ln search of alternative source of water supply.The Economic and Development Summit offers hope of proffering solution to the problem too.
Attracting investors to explore the economic potentials in the rural communities in Oji River and exploit them to enhance socio economic and empowerment of the people is expected to be one of the achievements of the summit.
The convener, Oji River Local Government Council administration, Hon Anyaegbudike, is aiming at a new Oji River with economic activities thriving in various communities to the benefit of the people and Gross Domestic Product (GDP) of the state in the next 39 years.
The journey seemingly has begun. Under his watch, the Oji River Council administration led by Hon. Greg. Anyaegbudike is reconstructing the dilapidated parts of Oji.
River to Achi to Awgu road,from Oji junction to the Nigerian Police College,an estimated one kilometer distance .The tarmac will be asphalted.
The 20 wards in the local government will have roads leading to their respective Smart Green Schools,Type 2 hospitals and farm estates graded.
Obviously, the April 22 Economic and Development Summit of Oji River local government area being championed by Hon. Greg Anyaegbidike,will contribute immensely to efforts already being put on ground by him, with strong support of Governor Peter Mbah-led administration in the state.
