By Prince Ejeh Josh
Communities in Igboeze North South and Igboeze North West Development Centres, both in Igboeze North Local Government Area of Enugu State have appealed to the governorship candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, Dr. Peter Mbah, for urgent intervention when he is elected into office in 2023.
Members of the communities made this appeal on Tuesday in Ikpamodo and Ette, headquarters of the development centres, at town-hall meetings initiated by Dr. Mbah to ascertain the people’s pressing needs.
Speaking at the meeting, the PDP Zonal Chairman, Hon. Mike Onyeze, requested for the reconstruction of the road connecting the local government and Benue State, saying the road was critical, as it links five different political wards.
He equally requested the construction of the road that connects Ogrute to Ogugu through another five wards in the area, stressing that the two roads remained the greatest challenge facing them.
Assuring the PDP of their unflinching support in the forthcoming elections, the PDP chieftain said that the Governor Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi administration had already executed 11 critical projects in the development centre.
Also speaking on behalf of his people in Igboeze North West development area, a former House of Assembly Member, Hon. Anthony Ogidi, who presented a list of demands from the five autonomous communities, bemoaned infrastructural deficit in the area.
He enjoined Mbah to revitalize the Ette Modern Farm with new irrigation facilities when elected.
Other priorities listed were Adum Farm at Umuogbo Agu and Palm Produce Processing Industry, adding that the MCC road to Kogi State border, Aji-Umuagama-Umuogbo-Agu-Ette road, Unyi Ette-Ayishi road, Efeche and Ayionodaba road should be given urgent attention to help them with their farming activities.
Ogidi, who called for the upgrade of some of their dilapidated secondary and primary schools with modern teaching and learning facilities, further enjoined Mbah to rehabilitate, equip, and staff the Ette Cottage Hospital.
Among other demands made by the people were erosion control site at Nkwo Aji market and Ette Centre, Ayinebe Ogodo; establishment of motorcycle market and reconstruction of their existing market; extension of electricity to parts of Umuogbo – Agu communities; and the establishment of permanent police and military bases in the border communities to help fight insecurity.
Similarly, one of the traditional rulers in the area, Igwe Odih Kenneth, called for employment to engage their youths positively, address the raging insecurity and attract more industries to the agrarian communities.
He promised that his people would come out en masse on election day and queue behind his candidacy.
Reacting to the list of demands, Mbah assured the people that his administration would embark on aggressive development projects when elected in order to address the issues they raised promptly.
He noted the huge prospects and opportunities in the area, promising that Igboeze North communities would be transformed into productive and wealth-creating assets through his integrated development programmes, which includes harnessing the agriculture potential, industrialisation, rural electrification, and new roads infrastructure.
He reiterated his commitment to tackle insecurity through job creation, industries, and youths engagement.
“We will bring industries here so that there won’t be any place for criminals to hide. We are going to bring employment to address insecurity. We will upgrade your cottage hospital, make it a 24-hours, functional health facility with community health extension workers,” he said.
Mbah further expressed readiness to partner with the area for development, saying the people should collect their permanent voter’s cards and vote for the PDP.
