Key Into Gov. Mbah’s Grassroots Programmes, Commissioner Urges People of Oji-River

The Enugu State Commissioner for Local Government, Rural Development and Chieftaincy Affairs, Hon. Okey Ogbodo, has urged the people of Oji River Council Area to key into Gov. Peter Mbah’s grassroots programmes in the area.

Ogbodo made the call during a tour to the council area on a first hand assessment of programmes and projects of the present administration led by Hon Chinedu Onyeagba, on Thursday in Enugu.

Deacon Ogbodo and his team being ushered in to the meeting arena by officials of Oji-River council area.

This medium reports that the visit was in continuation of the commissioner’s tour to the 17 Local Government Areas in Enugu State.

Recalled that the Commissioner on Tuesday embarked on tour of council areas in Enugu State aimed at bringing the council chairmen up to speed with the disruptive innovation, governance agenda of Mbah.

This is more especially on his programmes for grassroots development as well as to evaluate the impacts of the achievement of the local government administration while identifying their challenges and together proffering resolutions on challenges facing them.

Ogbodo in a conversation with one of the prominent traditional rulers in Oji River Council Area.

The commissioner accompanied by members of the ministry and received by the council deputy Chairman, Hon. Onyebuchi Sopulibe, the Commissioner for Culture and Tourism, Dame Ugochi Madueke, party excos, stakeholders, members of Oji River traditional rulers and the Presidents General amongst others.

Responding on the projects carried out, the commissioner said that he would be taking reactions from the people to appraise the listed achievements by the council chairman.

“I will move around with his team for the full scale assessment of the projects and if in reality these are factual, then it is an impeccable evidence of good administration by the Oji River council Chairman

He also stressed that the speakers were allowed to point out areas where they were expecting the state or the local government to step up urgently.

Ogbodo encouraged all the PDP executives to return to their various wards and reinvigorate the stability of the party, mend fences and pursue peace across line despite the last experience during the 2023 general election which he said it was as a result of the national empathy for igbo’s marginalization.

He reaffirmed, Mbah’s determination to drive Enugu State economy to an enviable height as the governor had not forgotten the social contract he signed with the people, particularly Ndi Enugu West during the campaign season.

Ogbodo engaging critical stakeholders of the LGA.

Earlier, the Oji River Council Chairman, Hon. Chinedu Onyeagba, represented by his Deputy, Sopulibe in his opening remarks told the visitors that the council chairman was unavoidable absent because of some urgent programmes.

He enumerated all the laudable achievements by Onyeagba’s administration since he assumed office on March 4, 2022 particularly on security, health, roads, youths and women empowerment programmes, procurement of new transformers and so many others.

Some of the people who reacted to the welcome address acknowledged that Onyeagba was doing great in the area of security and Human Resource Development.

They appealed that the State government needs to come to the aid of the local government to restore the public trust of Ndi Oji River as the local government cannot embark on most capital intense projects.

Hon. Ejike Tasia, the coordinator of the Oji River Presidents General, applauded the council chairman for his doggedness in the area of road earth work networking but prayed the state to construct the Udi – Ehuhe Achi road to reduce traffic on the Oji River urban especially during the festival seasons.

The Commissioner for Culture and Tourism, Dame Ugochi Madueke, took time to thank the Governor for appointing three prominent Oji River sons and daughter into his cabinet.

She, however, appealed by saying that Ndi Oji were grateful but like Oliver’s twist ” we want some more ” as there is plenty of work to do.

HRH Sunday Orah praised the Council Chairman for an outstanding performance in security, as he fought the ugly menace to see that liives and property of Ndi Oji River were well protected.

The event was well attended by Oji River Party stakeholders, Traditional Rulers, Party Exco’s,Civil Servants, President Generals and others.