- Extols Mbah’s example in accountability, inclusivity
The Council Chairman of Isi-Uzo Local Government Area in Enugu State, Barr. Obiora Obeagu, has rendered account of his 100 days in office, saying his administration was following Governor Peter Mbah’s footsteps of transparent, accountable, and inclusive governance.
Obeagu, while acknowledging that there was still so much to do, however, said his administration was on course to accomplishing its campaign promises in the areas of security, education, health, human capital development, empowerment and infrastructure to open up the economy of Isi-Uzo in line with Governor Mbah’s vision to grow the state to a $30 billion economy.
The Council Chairman, who was inaugurated for a second term in office on 30th September 2024, gave the account of his 100-day stewardship during a town hall meeting at the local government headquarters, Ikem, on Wednesday.
In particular, he noted a huge improvement in the security of lives and property in Isi-Uzo communities, as the incidences of kidnapping, banditry, and farmer-header clashes that bedeviled the local government in the previous years, especially during festive periods.
“The partnership with the state government, if you look at my mantra, I said it is a partnership that works. Our capable and amiable governor is doing wonders. He is a visionary leader. He is a leader that has passion for public good and has been working for the benefit of the citizens. He enjoined us during our inauguration to replicate the same in our local governments and that is exactly what we are doing.
“So, for instance, we have been able to actually deliver on the promises we made in the area of health where we constituted the Isi-Uzo Free Medical Outreach Committee that has already carried out an outreach where over 2,000 people benefitted, and we are still continuing.
“In the area of security, you could see that our people are testifying. A lot of people came back this December and we were able to secure our place within the limit of our ability and the resources. We didn’t have the incidence we had the previous years, like kidnapping, banditry and other kind of criminality. We fought those things to a stop through the partnership of the state government,” he said.
He said that series of empowerment trainings had been organised for the youth, equipping them with skill sets that woud enable them compete with their peers from other parts of the world in line with Governor Peter Mbah’s vision to eradicate unemployment and ensure zero poverty headcount index.
He commended Mbah for the many development projects in Isi-Uzo in addition to the 60/40 partnership where the state government funds 60 percent of every development project executed by local governments.
“I intend to sustain that partnership and also tap into the 60/40 partnership he had already established. It is a very big platform that will help develop our place. The governor is already doing a lot of projects in our Council such as 11 smart schools in all the wards, 11 primary health care centres, and most importantly the historic and strategic 21.7km road that leads from Agape to Agu-Mgbuji that will open up the economic corridors, and also the farm settlements. It has also helped to address our insecurity,” he stated.
Meanwhile, the President General of Amede autonomous community, Ibeabuchi Ani, from Eha-Amufu Ward 4, commended Barr. Obeagu for his numerous projects in the last 100 days, including the restoration of electricity to some communities like Ihenyi, Umualor community and initiating building bridges in some roads.
“He has equally worked hard to enthrone peace and restore traditional leadership in Amede autonomous community, which had been without a traditional head for long. He inaugurated a neighborhood watch to make sure that our people are safe. Today, we can sleep with our eyes closed. We know he will not relent in doing that, which he knows best how to do,” Ani said.
On his part, the Chairman, Isi-Uzo Traditional Rulers Council, Igwe Okey Ogbodo described the Council Chairman as a transformative leader whose works speak volume across the length and breadth of the council.
“The Chairman, Obeagu, did well in his first tenure and I believe that is what brought him back. He is doing well in terms of infrastructural development. Obeagu is equally doing amazingly well in the area of health because he has organized health outreach for our people, which I am a member of the Health Outreach Committee he inaugurated.
“We thank the governor, Peter Mbah for the road he is building from Owo to Ikem, opening the economic corridors of the Council,” Igwe Ogbodo concluded.