Community development is rooted in the belief that all people should have access to health, wellbeing, wealth, justice, basic amenities and opportunities. This is the case of Okai Item Community in Bende Local Government Area of Abia State, as the executive has moved to reposition the community for better quality of life for the people of the area.
In an interaction with Newsmen, the President General of Okai-Item Development Association Autonomous (OIDA), Mazi Ogechukwu Samuel Ogba, who came on board along side other members of the executive in 2021, said they were driven to bring changes to the Okai-Item community and as such, have deployed workable strategies to actualize their goals.
According to him, when they took over the saddle of leadership, the age grade system,which is used to attract meaningful development to communities, for over 25years had not been functional in Okai-Item, with over four set of age grades unrecognized.
For him, getting the age grade system working again,was a major priority, giving the significant role they play in community building. He said so far, they have been able to revive the system, graduating four age grades and by December 2024, they will graduate a new set.
Outlining other achievements of the present executive committee, the President General, disclosed that they have been able to address the issue of electricity in the area. According to him, for over three years the community has been without electricity due to the huge debt of over three hundred thousand naira accrued on electricity bills. He stressed that though the executive has been able to clear the bills but the issue has not been totally addressed, due to some electrical facilities that were vandalized.
In addition, Mr Ogba hinted that plans are in top gear to partner with some foreign counterparts from Bulgaria,who are interested in food value chain and disclosed that over 8000 hectares of land lying fallow in Okai,have been marked for the project,which according to him, would help put Okai in the world map and as well,make Abia State to be food sufficient, if properly harnessed.
The President General further revealed that the nine villages of Umuezoke, Umuokoroacha, Aghu na Ugah, Amachara,Umuogbuenwo,Amaudara, Umuaka Ukwu, Akikaregu and Umuobor, in Okai Item, are currently battling with poor road infrastructure, adding that as an agro area, the people find it difficult to bring out their farm produce to near by markets, which eventually lead to waste of their produce and also slowing down Agricultural activities.
He equally pointed that the Okai community is having boundary issues with its neighbouring community, Akaeze in Ebonyi State, appealing for the State government to intervene, so as to arrest further crisis.
The Community, called on the government to help dualize the Okai Item – Akaeze road, in order to enhance seamless transportation of goods and services in that area, as well as, to improve the agricultural produce of Item community at large, hinting that the dualization will open up economic value and activities of Abia North, and also,create more trade relationships with neighboring states like Ebonyi and Enugu.
The PG also appealed for government to provide soft loans and grants facilities to their local farmers, so as to enable them increase their produce,adding that urgent intervention in their education sector is equally needed, as most schools in the area, particularly the Community Primary School is facing structural decay with no teachers.
He said government should declare state of emergency on their Health Centre, because of its dilapidated state and lack of medical personnel and as well, address the persistent water shortages affecting the people.
While, urging his people to strive in maintaining the existing peace in Okai Item community, he commended the efforts of the founder of Vision Africa Radio, Bishop Sunday Onuoha,for mediating and sueing for peace between Okai and Akaeze communities and also his contributions in developing the community with the recent construction of a medical facility in Okai Item.
He further beckoned on other sons and daughters of Okai-Item to make meaningful contributions in building the area, adding that the purpose of community development is to bring people together to work towards a common goal, improving the quality of life in their communities. “It’s a powerful tool that addresses social and economic issues, promotes inclusivity and diversity,as well,empowers communities to take action”.
Other members of the executive present during the interview, were, the Secretary General,Mr John Agu, the Assistant Secretary,Prince Isaac Uka, the Financial Secretary, Hon Uka Ogbonnaya and the Provost, Mr Dickson Agwara.
