The people of Igboeze North Central and Igboeze North East Development Centres both in Igboeze North local government area of Enugu State have urged the governorship candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, in the state, Dr. Peter Mbah, to continue with the massive projects already initiated by Governor Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi’s administration when he wins in the 2023 general elections.
They made this appeal recently at Enugu Ezike and Ogrute, headquarters of the development centres, during the town-hall meetings initiated by Dr. Mbah.
Speaking at Igboeze North East, the Administrator of the development centre, Hon. Osita Ali, said his people had always been committed to the PDP since 1999, adding that they would follow the same pattern to turn in huge votes for Mbah and all PDP candidates in the state come 2023.
The Chairman of the local government area, Hon. Ejike Itodo, assured that the local government under his leadership would not abandon the party that attracted massive infrastructure to their various communities through the administration of Governor Ugwuanyi.
He stressed that the local government came second position in the last general elections in terms of number votes cast for the PDP and promised that the stakeholders in the council would mobilise voters in order to redouble the number of votes in 2023.
Lending their voices, the member representing Igboeze North/Udenu Federal constituency, Hon. Simon Atigwe; the PDP candidate for House of Assembly in Igboeze North Constituency I, Hon. Clifford Obe and his Igboeze North Constituency II counterpart, Hon. Clifford Obe and Hon. Mrs. Ngozi Ezeja, commended the town-hall meetings, stressing that Mbah had displayed qualities of someone who was prepared to work with the people to transform the state through his well thought-out development plans as contained in his manifesto.
They further commended the giant development strides in the senatorial zone, saying the Ugwuanyi administration had brought succour to the people of the zone.
Citing the Enugu State University of Medical Sciences, Igbo-Eno; the Federal Polytechnic, Ohodo; the functional healthcare system and other legacy projects executed in the zone by the PDP-led government, the speakers enjoined the incoming government to build on the existing projects.
On his part, the Patron of Igboeze North Traditional Rulers Council, Igwe Hyacinth Odo, said Mbah had shown what differentiated him from other candidates in the race through his robust manifesto and the town-hall meetings designed to reach out and extract more inputs from the citizens in every part of the state.
While presenting the needs and expectations of their people to Mbah, former Secretary to the State Government, Arc. Innocent Agbo; National Vice President of Ohanaeze Youth, Dr. Chieso Iziga; former council chairmen, Hon. Uwakwe Ezeja and Hon. Chidi Nwomeh, among others, said that their people, who were mostly farmers, needed more access roads that would link their communities, farmlands and enable them move their produce to the market.
Demanding Mbah’s urgent intervention on their roads when elected, they noted that the construction of the Ogrute-Umuida-Unadu road and reconstruction of Ogrute-Okata-Onitsha-Enugu-Iheakpu-Awka-Ibagwa-Nsukka road would improve the economy of the area.
They further called for improvement in the existing state of infrastructure, deliberate policy for human capital development, political inclusiveness, job creation and conversion of one of their secondary schools to a tertiary institution to enable them join the league of university communities like their neighbouring local governments.
Reacting to his endorsement and the demands, Mbah commended the people for their sense of gratitude over the impactful and huge development projects done by successive PDP-led governments in the area. He assured that their value of gratitude would continue to earn them more projects and development if he is elected next year.
He reiterated that part of his plans was to construct 10,000 kilometers of road, which would include the roads leading to their communities, farmlands, business places and markets.
He maintained that his commitment was to transform the local government areas in the state into productive assets by harnessing their human and material resources.
Dr. Mbah also harped on his resolve to create jobs for the youths through their engagement in skills acquisition, vocational training, and availability of N100 billion revolving loan. He added that funds would also be earmarked for large-scale agro-processing for industrial expansion.
On his plan for education in the state if elected, Mbah said that special schools with modern facilities would be set up to teach Science, Technical, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM).
Noting that his administration would address the insecurity in the area through job creation, Mbah stressed that his passion to lead the state was driven by selfless service and commitment to usher in transformation, growth and development.
