By Chioma Ezeiru :
It was harvest of dividends of democracy and celebration over the weekend at Orumba-North Local Government Area as the action Transition Committee Chairman (TCC), Sir Ogochukwu Ekwueme commissioned five completed capital projects in Ufuma, Ndiowu and Oko communities, with many other community initiative projects still ongoing in different parts of the local government area.
The projects include; a newly drilled borehole water and generator house at Umunebo Ufuma to make drinkable water available and accessible to the people of the community who have suffered lack of accessible water for many decades; Laterite stabilization, drainage and reinforced culvert at Umudiabor-Ndiowu community; six ultramodern toilet and shower facility at Eke Oko market; and renovated borehole water facility with generator house to supply clean water to Eke market and Oko community.
Commissioning the projects, Mr Tony-Collins Nwabunwanne, Commissioner for Local Government, Chieftaincy and Community Affairs, said that the Solution government of Prof. Charles Chukwuma Soludo has come to touch the lives of people and bring dividends of democracy to the grassroots.
“This is an uncommon development. I thank the transition chairman for the great work he is doing in Orumba-North. The Soludo government believes in and exists for the masses at the grassroots level. We want to bring dividends of democracy to the grassroots.
“We are going into communities to revive many abandoned projects because government is about continuity. Even with the bad economy, Gov. Soludo has achieved so much in less than two years. He is cutting down on every waste and channeling available resources to areas that will improve the lives of the people.
“We are coming to Orumba-North LGA with many packages. This is the first phase of our work in Ufuma, Ndiowu, Oko and other communities. The boreholes will make drinkable water accessible to the people. The ultramodern toilet will provide comfortable convenience for people to use.
“I am very impressed with the quality of work of the culvert and drainage. We will also grade the road and extend the drainage as we hope to link every community and provide accessible road.”
He also appealed to Ndi Orumba-North to keep supporting the TC Chairman and the state government, more importantly to take ownership and protect government projects in their various communities.
Speaking, the Transition Committee Chairman of Orumba North, Sir Ogochukwu Ekwueme noted that the ‘ward choose your project initiative’ was introduced by his team at the ward level where each ward will select a project dear to them.
“We introduced the ‘ward choose your project initiative’ where each ward will choose a project to be carried out in their community by the local government council and this borehole drilled and delivered to Ufuma community is one of such projects.
“Getting good drinking water was a huge challenge in the area as they trekked long distance to get water from the stream. This is a project that will touch and change their lives positively and we give glory to God.
“Also in Ndiowu, we constructed a 72m culvert and drainage system due to the deplorable state of the road there. Now they have accessible road which also link them to Ogboji and other neighbouring communities.
“We also constructed an ultramodern toilet facility with shower at Eke Oko and renovated the borehole water facility there to provide comfort and accessible water to traders and the community.
“We appreciate the local government commission, stakeholders and those who partnered with us and urge them to be patient as more projects will be undertaken and commissioned soon.”
The House of Assembly Member representing Orumba-North constituency, Mr Emeka Aforka while welcoming Mr Commissioner to the local government expressed gratitude for his approval of projects and support to Ndi Orumba.
“Thank you Hon. Commissioner for your magnanimity and benevolence for approving and making these projects possible. Without your support, these projects would not have been carried out and completed. You are very diligent and dedicated to your job.
“The local government has achieved this feat through the hardworking transition chairman. May posterity and history never forget you. The challenges in this area is enormous and we plead for more intervention by the state government through your good office,” he said.
Also, the Orumba North All Progressive Grand Alliance (APGA) Chairman and borehole contractor, Mr Festus Arukwe thanked the government for the privilege and opportunity to showcase his talent and serve the people.
“We appreciate the Solution government for the great work through the TC Chairman. I am a borehole contractor and I was hired to drill the just commissioned Ufuma borehole. It’s a rare privilege and we did a great work there.
“We will continue to support the Soludo government as Orumba-North is APGA and APGA is Orumba-North,” he said. (Ministry of Information)
The information officer reports from Orumba North LGA
RNI/Ezenwata