By Israel Mbam
Governor Francis Ogbonna Nwifuru has commended the Coordinator of Ikwo East Development Centre, Apostle Emmanuel Mbam Agu, for executing impactful projects that have positively transformed communities across the development centre.
The Governor gave the commendation on Thursday during an accountability tour of development centres in Ebonyi State, held at Idembia Enyibichiri, the headquarters of Ikwo East Development Centre.
Represented by the Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Matters, Chief Stephen Uchenna Igwe, Governor Nwifuru said the coordinator had demonstrated prudent utilization of government resources through projects with direct benefits to the people.
He explained that the purpose of the tour was to assess how funds released to the development centres had been utilized, evaluate the relationship between coordinators and party stakeholders, and ensure that management committee members were actively involved in the administration of the centres.
The Governor urged the people of Ikwo East Development Centre to continue supporting the administration of Governor Nwifuru to sustain the implementation of the People’s Charter of Needs, particularly in rural communities.
Earlier, the Coordinator of Ikwo East Development Centre, Apostle Emmanuel Mbam Agu, said his administration embarked on several developmental projects to dispel the perception that development centres merely serve as conduits for public funds without tangible results.
He listed projects executed under his administration to include the renovation and re-roofing of the development centre headquarters, construction of a mega bridge at Onyikwa Village in Ndufu Alike Community, grading of the road linking Elegu Enyim Chukwuma Village to Elegu Ohankwu Health Centre, and the drilling of solar-powered motorized boreholes at Ndieguazu Ohankwu, Ebianji Noyo (FUNAI Back Gate), and Echialike Primary School.
Other projects, according to him, include the construction of a culvert at Edukwu Obiovu in Enyibichiri Community, road construction at Ndieguazu Enyibichiri, dredging of the Ohatekwe Community water dam for irrigation purposes, donation of a generator, computer set, printer and photocopying machine to the Noyo Divisional Police Station, distribution of eight motorcycles to management committee members, and the donation of a school band set to Community Secondary School, Idembia, among several other initiatives.
Speaking on behalf of stakeholders, Chief Celestine Nwele, Chief Sunday Nwegbe, Hon. Emmanuel Ekuma, Chief Dickland Ovunna, ward councillors and other community leaders expressed appreciation to Governor Nwifuru for prioritising grassroots development. They also commended Apostle Mbam Agu for what they described as effective and people-oriented leadership, assuring the government of their continued support.
The event attracted traditional rulers, political stakeholders, youth and women groups, as well as residents from Alike Ikwo and neighbouring communities.
