Communities in Oji River South and Mmam River Development Centres Present Needs to Governorship Candidate

In a move to extract information on their pressing and peculiar needs, communities in Oji River South and Mmam River development centres in Enugu State have presented their demands to the governorship candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Dr. Peter Mbah. The stakeholders, comprising traditional rulers, professional and religious bodies, civil society organizations, and women groups, made this presentation in a series of town hall meetings held in Ugwuoba and Inyi towns, the headquarters of the two development centres.

Key Takeaways:

• The communities have presented a list of demands to Dr. Peter Mbah, including the facilitation of new projects and development infrastructure to give the local government area an urban status.
• The communities have requested the provision of water reticulation through the Greater Enugu Water Project and the exploration of mineral resources to boost internally generated revenue.
• The communities have also called for the reconstruction of feeder roads, including the Onitsha-Enugu-Aguabosi-Nkwere-Inyi-Awlaw road, Aguabosi-Nkwere-Akpugoeze-Ufuma road, and others.
• The communities have appealed to Dr. Mbah to stop trespass on their land and resources by people from Anambra State and to revisit the existing boundary delineation between the two states.
• The communities have requested the reconstruction of the abandoned Awlaw-Mbala-Isuochi and Awlaw-Owere Ezukala bridges and the provision of a new fire service station.

Statistics:

• The communities have listed over 10 feeder roads that require reconstruction to upscale economic activities and urbanise their various communities.
• The communities have requested the provision of water reticulation through the Greater Enugu Water Project to cater to the needs of the communities.
• The local government area has abundance of resources, including oil fields, arable land for commercial agriculture, and mineral resources.
• The Agor Water Fall at Agbalaenyi Nachi has the potential to be harnessed as a tourist attraction.
• Dr. Peter Mbah has promised to integrate the communities' needs into his integrated sectors development programme and to provide alternative financing models to reduce dependence on federal allocations.

Sources:

• News article by an unnamed source
• Communique jointly signed by the leaders and presidents-general of Agulu Ugwuoba, Ugwuoba Urban, Agbalaenyi Nachi, Okpunoagude Ugwuoba, Ugwuoba Development Union, and others
• Statement by Dr. Chike Madueke on behalf of the communities in Mmam River development centre
• Statement by Rt. Hon. KGB Ogwuakwa and Hon. Jeff Mbah on behalf of the communities in Mmam River development centre
• Statement by Dr. Peter Mbah in response to the communities' demands