Ezike Diamond Club Charges LG Chairman on Road Infrastructure, Entrepreneurship Devt, Others
Ogalla
By Our Correspondent
A social club, The Ezike Diamond Club, has called on the Chairman of Igbo-Eze North Local Government Chairman, Hon. Uche Ogalla, to deepen infrastructural and entrepreneurship developments in the local government.
The Club in a position paper to the Chairman during an interactive session with stakeholders in Lagos, commended Ogalla for holding consultations with the people of the local government after some months in office.
The Club in the paper described such consultations as being in the right direction, adding that “effective communication is key to good governance”.
However, noting that “democracy, being government of the people, by the people, and for the people”, the Club said “governance will be more receptive if the policies and projects of government are aligned with the wishes and aspirations of the people”.
The Club while calling for more stakeholders engagement across the country where the people of the Council reside, charged the local government Chairman to equally consider the results of such sessions for the development of the local government.
The Club particularly urged the local government boss to incorporate the feedback from the engagements “into a well-articulated needs assessment that will evaluate our infrastructure, public services, and socio-economic needs, which will be required to develop strategic planning for short- and long-term goals”.
The position paper centred on ‘Administration, Infrastructure, Economy, Security, and Public Services (Education, Health)” in the local government.
The Club led by Mr Wilfred Eya as the President, in the paper emphasized that a review of the road network in the local government was imperative to identify priority roads for rehabilitation.
The group particularly identified the Mkpamte-Igogoro-Ikpamodo-Okpo-Amaja Road and the Umuida-Aguibeje Road as crucial in complementing the ongoing Ogrute-Umuopu road project.
“Additionally, town planning activities should be heightened in the LGA. Ogrute is developing haphazardly, with many lands and properties lacking proper access. Poorly planned narrow roads will lead to future traffic congestion and slum development. Rural planning should prioritize larger estate plots to reflect the availability of land resources”, the Club said.
To boost the economy, the Club advised that the local government should “promote entrepreneurship and small business growth. Quick wins include supporting farming initiatives and establishing cottage industries while providing incentives for Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs)”.
“The Eke Ozzi Market should be further modernized to attract external patronage while the road-side trading especially at the Amufie road end should be discouraged due to the safety risk that this poses”, the group said.
The Chairman of the Local Government, Uche Ogalla, in his opening remarks explained that the stakeholders engagement was strategic considering that Lagos is not only as a centre of excellence but enjoys huge investment potential and human capital resource.
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He explained that such interface with the people of the Council residing in Lagos was equal to stakeholders in Igbo-Eze North.
The Secretary to the Local Government, Mr Onyekachi Eya, who represented the Chairman, disclosed that the Council has keyed into the innovation drive of the state government so that the people can enjoy the dividends of democracy.
According to him, the Chairman has been working hard to surpass the expectations of people of the Local government as part of Governor Mbah’s determination to transform the state.
.
He said, “In Enugu, our dear governor has introduced what he calls disruptive innovation. In Enugu, we are witnessing the practice of ‘Politics Unusual’. There is a complete paradigm shift from the old order. To the governor, the whole essence of governance is for the good of the people.
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Part of the position paper reads:
“We want to commend the Local Government Chairman, Hon Uchenna Ogalla, for this wonderful initiative of holding consultations with the good people of Igbo Eze North. We believe that this is in the right direction as effective communication is key to good governance. Also, democracy, being government of the people, by the people, and for the people, assumes that governance will be more receptive if the policies and projects of government are aligned with the wishes and aspirations of the people.
As a Club that has always advocated for a healthy public-private collaboration in governance, we encourage that this stakeholder engagement should continue and also extend across the country where our people reside to get honest feedback and input from the people. The feedback from these engagements should be incorporated into a well-articulated needs assessment that will evaluate our infrastructure, public services, and socio-economic needs, which will be required to develop strategic planning for short- and long-term goals.
Our contribution will be grouped into the following areas: Administration, Infrastructure, Economy, Security, and Public Services (Education, Health).
Administration
Under administration, we propose enhancing the local government structures and administrative efficiency through training, transparency, and accountability. Departments should be more active and productive, especially the departments of Education, Health, Agriculture, and Works.
A productive workforce will harness the potential of our Local Government and will also save a lot of outsourcing costs in the Local Government. The spirit of hard work and the love for the progress of the LGA should be inculcated into the workforce and the political appointees of the Local Government to drive innovation and delivery of value.
Infrastructure
The vision for infrastructure is to improve transportation within the area to boost trade and attract external investors, particularly in agriculture and palm produce. A review of the road network in the local government should identify priority roads for rehabilitation. The Mkpamte-Igogoro-Ikpamodo-Okpo-Amaja Road and the Umuida-Aguibeje Road are crucial in complementing the ongoing Ogrute-Umuopu road project.
Additionally, town planning activities should be heightened in the LGA. Ogrute is developing haphazardly, with many lands and properties lacking proper access. Poorly planned narrow roads will lead to future traffic congestion and slum development. Rural planning should prioritize larger estate plots to reflect the availability of land resources.
Economy
To boost the economy, the local government should promote entrepreneurship and small business growth. Quick wins include supporting farming initiatives and establishing cottage industries while providing incentives for Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs).
The Eke Ozzi Market should be further modernized to attract external patronage while the road-side trading especially at the Amufie road end should be discouraged due to the safety risk that this poses.
The other area is to harness our palm products that can be used as industrial raw materials. The local government can embark on huge palm plantations preparatory to massive raw palm oil and palm wine or even edible ethanol production in the future. We can replicate the Benin oil palm idea that led to NIFOR in Edo state. Our home soil is good for oil palm tree plantation.
Public Services
Major achievements in public services should focus on upgrading healthcare facilities and ensuring access to medical care in rural villages. Strengthening schools, libraries, and vocational training programs will empower youth and discourage crime.
To further support youth development, a skill acquisition center should be established, integrating both an ICT center of excellence and vocational training. This initiative will not only serve as a training ground but also attract economic activities.
The Ogrute General Hospital should be made fully operational. Despite previous investments, it is underutilized due to doctors prioritizing their private hospitals over government service. Steps should be taken to ensure its efficient operation.
Another key area for human development is domestic water supply and sanitation.
Providing reliable access to clean water will significantly improve the quality of life for residents.
Security
As security conditions improve, efforts should continue to maintain peaceful coexistence. Regarding the Fulani herdsmen issue, subtle measures should be implemented to phase out land use agreements in Enugu-Ezike, allowing for agricultural development instead. This should be communicated well in advance to avoid conflicts.
Other initiatives that could accelerate good governance in the LGA include:
Community-Driven Development (CDD) Projects
The best approach to good governance is through Community-Driven Development (CDD) initiatives, ensuring that projects reflect the needs and priorities of citizens. Town hall meetings should be organized to gather input on critical projects such as rural electrification, transformers, market stalls, road construction, healthcare centers, boreholes, and sanitation.
One Village One Product (OVOP) Initiative
This initiative, originating from Japan, promotes local economic development by identifying and developing specialized products in different localities. Neighboring Ghana has successfully implemented this with Shea Butter. Igbo-Eze North can adopt similar models to create wealth and generate employment by leveraging local competitive advantages”.
A social club, The Ezike Diamond Club, has called on the Chairman of Igbo-Eze North Local Government Chairman, Hon. Uche Ogalla, to deepen infrastructural and entrepreneurship developments in the local government.
The Club in a position paper to the Chairman during an interactive session with stakeholders in Lagos, commended Ogalla for holding consultations with the people of the local government after some months in office.
The Club in the paper described such consultations as being in the right direction, adding that “effective communication is key to good governance”.
However, noting that “democracy, being government of the people, by the people, and for the people”, the Club said “governance will be more receptive if the policies and projects of government are aligned with the wishes and aspirations of the people”.
The Club while calling for more stakeholders engagement across the country where the people of the Council reside, charged the local government Chairman to equally consider the results of such sessions for the development of the local government.
The Club particularly urged the local government boss to incorporate the feedback from the engagements “into a well-articulated needs assessment that will evaluate our infrastructure, public services, and socio-economic needs, which will be required to develop strategic planning for short- and long-term goals”.
The position paper centred on ‘Administration, Infrastructure, Economy, Security, and Public Services (Education, Health)” in the local government.
The Club led by Mr Wilfred Eya as the President, in the paper emphasized that a review of the road network in the local government was imperative to identify priority roads for rehabilitation.
The group particularly identified the Mkpamte-Igogoro-Ikpamodo-Okpo-Amaja Road and the Umuida-Aguibeje Road as crucial in complementing the ongoing Ogrute-Umuopu road project.
“Additionally, town planning activities should be heightened in the LGA. Ogrute is developing haphazardly, with many lands and properties lacking proper access. Poorly planned narrow roads will lead to future traffic congestion and slum development. Rural planning should prioritize larger estate plots to reflect the availability of land resources”, the Club said.
To boost the economy, the Club advised that the local government should “promote entrepreneurship and small business growth. Quick wins include supporting farming initiatives and establishing cottage industries while providing incentives for Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs)”.
“The Eke Ozzi Market should be further modernized to attract external patronage while the road-side trading especially at the Amufie road end should be discouraged due to the safety risk that this poses”, the group said.
The Chairman of the Local Government, Uche Ogalla, in his opening remarks explained that the stakeholders engagement was strategic considering that Lagos is not only as a centre of excellence but enjoys huge investment potential and human capital resource.
.
He explained that such interface with the people of the Council residing in Lagos was equal to stakeholders in Igbo-Eze North.
The Secretary to the Local Government, Mr Onyekachi Eya, who represented the Chairman, disclosed that the Council has keyed into the innovation drive of the state government so that the people can enjoy the dividends of democracy.
According to him, the Chairman has been working hard to surpass the expectations of people of the Local government as part of Governor Mbah’s determination to transform the state.
.
He said, “In Enugu, our dear governor has introduced what he calls disruptive innovation. In Enugu, we are witnessing the practice of ‘Politics Unusual’. There is a complete paradigm shift from the old order. To the governor, the whole essence of governance is for the good of the people.
.
Part of the position paper reads:
“We want to commend the Local Government Chairman, Hon Uchenna Ogalla, for this wonderful initiative of holding consultations with the good people of Igbo Eze North. We believe that this is in the right direction as effective communication is key to good governance. Also, democracy, being government of the people, by the people, and for the people, assumes that governance will be more receptive if the policies and projects of government are aligned with the wishes and aspirations of the people.
As a Club that has always advocated for a healthy public-private collaboration in governance, we encourage that this stakeholder engagement should continue and also extend across the country where our people reside to get honest feedback and input from the people. The feedback from these engagements should be incorporated into a well-articulated needs assessment that will evaluate our infrastructure, public services, and socio-economic needs, which will be required to develop strategic planning for short- and long-term goals.
Our contribution will be grouped into the following areas: Administration, Infrastructure, Economy, Security, and Public Services (Education, Health).
Administration
Under administration, we propose enhancing the local government structures and administrative efficiency through training, transparency, and accountability. Departments should be more active and productive, especially the departments of Education, Health, Agriculture, and Works.
A productive workforce will harness the potential of our Local Government and will also save a lot of outsourcing costs in the Local Government. The spirit of hard work and the love for the progress of the LGA should be inculcated into the workforce and the political appointees of the Local Government to drive innovation and delivery of value.
Infrastructure
The vision for infrastructure is to improve transportation within the area to boost trade and attract external investors, particularly in agriculture and palm produce. A review of the road network in the local government should identify priority roads for rehabilitation. The Mkpamte-Igogoro-Ikpamodo-Okpo-Amaja Road and the Umuida-Aguibeje Road are crucial in complementing the ongoing Ogrute-Umuopu road project.
Additionally, town planning activities should be heightened in the LGA. Ogrute is developing haphazardly, with many lands and properties lacking proper access. Poorly planned narrow roads will lead to future traffic congestion and slum development. Rural planning should prioritize larger estate plots to reflect the availability of land resources.
Economy
To boost the economy, the local government should promote entrepreneurship and small business growth. Quick wins include supporting farming initiatives and establishing cottage industries while providing incentives for Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs).
The Eke Ozzi Market should be further modernized to attract external patronage while the road-side trading especially at the Amufie road end should be discouraged due to the safety risk that this poses.
The other area is to harness our palm products that can be used as industrial raw materials. The local government can embark on huge palm plantations preparatory to massive raw palm oil and palm wine or even edible ethanol production in the future. We can replicate the Benin oil palm idea that led to NIFOR in Edo state. Our home soil is good for oil palm tree plantation.
Public Services
Major achievements in public services should focus on upgrading healthcare facilities and ensuring access to medical care in rural villages. Strengthening schools, libraries, and vocational training programs will empower youth and discourage crime.
To further support youth development, a skill acquisition center should be established, integrating both an ICT center of excellence and vocational training. This initiative will not only serve as a training ground but also attract economic activities.
The Ogrute General Hospital should be made fully operational. Despite previous investments, it is underutilized due to doctors prioritizing their private hospitals over government service. Steps should be taken to ensure its efficient operation.
Another key area for human development is domestic water supply and sanitation.
Providing reliable access to clean water will significantly improve the quality of life for residents.
Security
As security conditions improve, efforts should continue to maintain peaceful coexistence. Regarding the Fulani herdsmen issue, subtle measures should be implemented to phase out land use agreements in Enugu-Ezike, allowing for agricultural development instead. This should be communicated well in advance to avoid conflicts.
Other initiatives that could accelerate good governance in the LGA include:
Community-Driven Development (CDD) Projects
The best approach to good governance is through Community-Driven Development (CDD) initiatives, ensuring that projects reflect the needs and priorities of citizens. Town hall meetings should be organized to gather input on critical projects such as rural electrification, transformers, market stalls, road construction, healthcare centers, boreholes, and sanitation.
One Village One Product (OVOP) Initiative
This initiative, originating from Japan, promotes local economic development by identifying and developing specialized products in different localities. Neighboring Ghana has successfully implemented this with Shea Butter. Igbo-Eze North can adopt similar models to create wealth and generate employment by leveraging local competitive advantages”.
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