…as Okey Ogbodo commended Barr. Nkwuo on his developmental strides, especially on the ready-to-be-commissioned ultra-modern mega pavillion
Amidst jubilations resulting from the well-deserved victory of Governor Mbah at the Supreme Court, the good people and stakeholders of Enugu South Local Government Area once again on Friday, 22nd December, 2023 reaffirmed their unflinching support for His Excellency the Governor of Enugu state, Barr. Dr. Peter Ndubuisi Mbah. This happened as the Honourable Commissioner for Local Government Matters, Rural Development and Chieftaincy Affairs, Deacon Okey Ogbodo visited Enugu South Local Government Area at the Council headquarters, Uwani, Enugu in completion of his fact-finding tour across the seventeen (17) LGAs of the state.
According to Deacon Okey Ogbodo, the tour aims to thank the people for standing with Peter Mbah right from the time he was elected as the gubernatorial candidate of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP), during the election and until today when he has graciously achieved victory at the supreme court. Also, to ascertain the performance of the local government on Infrastructural Development, Political Impact, leadership, and Security, to ascertain the true socio-political and economic pulse of the people, to ascertain the circumstances that led to the lapses of the party during the 2023 general elections and find possible ways to make amends.
Giving an account of his stewardship from the brochure titled, “The Journey So Far” The Executive Chairman of Enugu South Local Government Area, Hon. Barr. Chimezie Robinson Nkwuo enumerated his infrastructural and human capital developments, political achievements as well as their impacts and significance before his people. He stated that Enugu South is vigorously running in line with Dr. Mbah’s administrative vision. According to him, his administration which started in March 2022, had carried out a lot of developmental projects and empowerments, skills acquisition, educational programs, and above all, despite the difficulties, betrayals, and conspiracies, delivered Barr. Dr. Peter Mbah with a wide margin of 3119 votes against their closest rival, the Labour Party.
He enumerated his projects as follows; installation of 500KVA transformer with complete installation kits at Umunnaji-ngene, Ugwuaji-Awkunanaw, completion of the 1st phase of 3km road at Chief Thompson Igweshi road connecting Enugu-Portharcourt express way, provision of pipe borne water at Obeagu-Ugwuaji, payment of school fees for over 100 indigenous undergraduates, payments of WAEC and NECO fees for over 300 indigenous secondary school students, construction of a 1000 capacity ultra-modern pavilion at the council headquarters, varieties of empowerments and skill acquisition programmes, prompt payment of salaries, emoluments and entitlements and many more.
HRH Igwe Dan Nnamani of Amechi-Uno who spoke on behalf of the Enugu South Traditional Rulers Council attested to the fact that the Council Boss is up to date in payment of salaries. He however stated that it’s a blessing to the people of Enugu South that His Excellency the Governor achieved victory at the Supreme Court on, the same day the Commissioner visited Enugu South.
While speaking on behalf of the Towns’ Union Presidents-General, the PG of Akwuke-Uwani, Engr. Chibuzor Ugwu unequivocally stated that there’s a cordial relationship between them and the Council Boss. “Apart from payment of salaries, He always calls us for meetings and he ensures we take the messages to our various communities”, he said.
In their separate responses, Mrs Ozobodo who spoke on behalf of the councilwomen, Hon. Okey Edeh who spoke on behalf of the Political Leaders, and Hon. Michael Egbo who spoke on behalf of the Youths highlighted that the Southern Mayor has significantly performed greatly. Hon. Mike Egbo stated that Barr. Nkwuo is replicating what his father Peter Mbah is doing at the state level. They however sent their regards to the Governor who has given them the platform, urging him to keep up with the good works he’s doing, especially the infrastructural projects going on within the council area.
Furthermore, the commissioner gave room for an interactive session where certain issues and challenges that led to the poor performance of the party in the last election were discussed. Certain people who had grievances in one way or the other were allowed to speak so that they may find possible ways to achieve victory in coming elections. Hence, Deacon Ogbodo used that opportunity to plead with the party to support Hon. Sam Ngene who is going for a re-run election for the Enugu South urban constituency.
However, Deacon Ogbodo utilized the opportunity to inform the Council Boss, that all party meetings should henceforth begin in the various wards and at the local government level. A committee should be constituted to ascertain what happened during the election, and then begin to strategize on how to achieve victory in the coming elections.
He also assured the Enugu South Traditional Rulers that in no distant time, the state Traditional Rulers council will be inaugurated. “We cannot handle the issue of insecurity without the Traditional Rulers. We’ll strengthen them”, he said.
Shortly after the meeting, the Council Boss, Barr. Nkwuo and his entourage led the Commissioner and his team on a walk around the council headquarters, specifically at the ready-to-be-commissioned ultra-modern mega pavilion project, during which the Commissioner who was overwhelmed hailed the Mayor for achieving such a gigantic project which is said to be the biggest among other sixteen (16) LGAs.
Other people present during the meeting were; Hon. Sandra Akuabata Onyia, Enugu South Deputy Chairman; Barr. Adaeze Christie Nkwuo, Enugu South First Lady; Rt. Hon. Ofor Chukwuegbo ably represented by Hon. Bob Okite; Hon. Paul Ogbe; Hon. Emmanuel Ikechukwu Orji, LG Secretary; Hon. Chief Freedom Nnam, Enugu South PDP Chairman; Hon. Sam Okechukwu Ngene, PDP candidate for Enugu South urban constituency; Hon. Duke Nwafor, Immediate past Deputy Chairman; Hon. Vincent Chukwu, Secretary, PDP, Enugu East Senatorial Zone; Barr. Peter Nnaji, Ozor Emma Ugwu JP, Ohanaeze Ndi Igbo Chairman Enugu South; Hon. Chinedu Agbo, CSO; Supervisors and other Political Appointees; Traditional Rulers; PG’s Councillors; Ward Chairmen; Women Leaders; Youths, among others.
Media Crew, Enugu South LGA.