…Nkanu West Traditional Rulers seek second term for LG boss, Ejim

The Governor of Enugu State, Dr. Peter Mbah, has applauded the chairman of Nkanu West local government area chairman, Uche Ejim for his impressive achievements during his two-year tenure.

The governor gave the commendation on Sunday, March 3, 2024 when he visited the council to commission some of the projects executed by the chairman just as he inspected ongoing ones initiated by the administration.

The governor who was represented by his deputy, Barr Ifeanyi Ossai while inspecting the 3.7 kilometers road which transverses Ameke, Obodo, Ede, Ngene Igo, Azu Agu and Udeh Nwaga, and many other completed projects in the area, said “we’re impressed with the level of work, we’ll report what we’ve seen to the Governor and the government that the council under you has done a lot.”

Barr. Ossai  said he’s happy the road is a rural road and expressed confidence it will improve the lives of the people when completed fully and thanked the council chairman for his service to the people of the council.

He charged the indigenes of the area to protect the road project being done for them and advised them not to use bumps to destroy it nor set tyres ablaze on it.

• Part of the completed 3.7km road

Similarly, Enugu State Commissioner of Police, CP Kanayo Uzuegbu who commissioned the joint security post in Amodu which was constructed by the council chairman, expressed happiness with the project, adding that the edifice will give their fight against crime and criminality a boost.

He also seized the opportunity to thank the operatives of Agbani Division and the joint security post at Amodu for their service and sacrifices in ensuring the safety of the people.

Speaking on the numerous projects embarked upon by the council , Hon. Ejim said giant strides made in the council in the past 24 months was based on his firm belief that having the opportunity to serve is a privilege.

Ejim said “we’ve made giant strides in capacity building, stemming the tide of insecurity in Nkanu West and bridging the gap and trust deficit between the people and the government.

“Upon our assumption of office, we were faced with existential threat by the hoodlums operating under the guise of unknown gunmen. To arrest this monster, we made a heavy investment in artificial intelligence (AI) enabled intelligence gathering equipment.

Enugu CP Kanayo Uzuegbu Commissioning the security post

“We have erected a two-storey concrete tower  where we have over 50 cameras converging in an 85inch screen where we monitor both human and vehicular movement in strategic locations in Nkanu West. The tower is powered by solar system and also has a solar powered borehole and a convenience in line with our Governor’s fight against open defecation.

“We also built this security post that was commissioned by the CP and it gives aerial advantage to the security operatives and we’ve been able to stop the hoodlums that use this road as transit route to commit crime in the city.”

Speaking about his efforts in infrastructural development, the city mayor continued; “We are doing a 3.7km asphalt road and 1.7km has been asphalted. The road has 11 culverts and the earthwork is completed 100 percent.

“We have taken a big step in connecting Ndi Uno and Ndi agu agwa in Umuokwo in Akegbe Ugwu to solve a problem that has affected even pregnant women that were ferried with wheel barrow to the hospital during labour.

“During our tenure, we built a first of its kind ultramodern townhall after 32 years of failed attempts. It’s equipped with over 14 air conditioners, fans and conference cabinet.

“We have done over 28 culverts across the 14 wards in Nkanu West.”

In the area of healthcare  Ejim said: “We renovated the Ojiagu health center which serves both Agbani and Ugbawka communities. We provided running water and reroofed the hospital.

“We have also operationalized the Umuatugbu-oma health facility and after equipping it, we had seven births within one  month which speaks volume of the importance of the facility.

Under Education, he said “the council under my watch did a six weeks intensive lessons in four centres and awarded over 24 scholarships to the best students.

“We provided solar powered boreholes to areas hitherto impossible to make water available and the fire service in Ozalla received attention under our watch. The elderly and physically challenged weren’t left out.”

He, however,  thanked the people of Nkanu west for giving him the opportunity to serve.

A stakeholder in the council and former secretary of the Peoples’ Democratic Party in Enugu State, Steve Oruruo,!said Uche Ejim’s time in office is worthy of applauds as he “worked diligently and is leaving behind verifiable projects.”

Oruruo also commended the chairman’s effort in fighting insecurity saying “Ejim was one of the local government chairmen who stood vigorously behind the state government to ensure that the people are protected. The surveillance drone that he brought to the local government is one of its kind and has helped in the fight against insecurity.”

He added that the numerous projects is a testament that he used the public money in his care judiciously.

In his remark, the traditional ruler of Ogbeke Agbani Igwe Okechukwu Nwobodo described Ejim as a trailblazer stressing thst if other council chairmen were like him, Enugu will be better.

“Look at the steps he took to address the issue of insecurity, provision of infrastructure and social welfare. His development is holistic. In my community, I know so many youths, students and craftsmen in my community that benefited from his administration.

“The entire traditional rulers in Nkanu West want this team that has transformed our area within two years to continue. When you look at the faces of the Igwes, you will see the confusion because they don’t know what will happen next.”

• The Ultramodern Civic centre

“There’s no other local government chairman that has done what he has done for us and that is why the whole traditional rulers of Nkanu West are begging for him to be given a second tenure to complete the good works he has started.

“He started well and we’re very certain he will end well,” further stated.