Ben Ezechime, Enugu
The Oji River Local Government Council has begun the construction of an ultra modern, multipurpose Civic center at the council headquarter, Oji River.
Chairman of the council, Hon. Chinedu Onyeagba, made this known when he received a team of the Enugu State Good Governance Initiative (ENS-GGI) at the council headquarters in Oji River.
The GGI team, comprising representatives of the state NLC, NUJ and the coalition of Civil Societies, was in the council for its biennial inspection of projects undertaken by 17 councils in the state.
Onyeagba, who was represented by his deputy, Onyebuchi Sopuluibe, said that the center, situated in the heart of the council’s Secretariat, would take care of all social events hosted by the council as well as citizens of the area who may wish to take advantage of the center.
According to the council boss, the center, with 2000 carrying capacity, would be fully equipped with modern facilities including furniture and a solar panel to ensure steady lights.
“As you can see construction work is progressing speedily. It’s one of our signature projects and I can say that, work has reached about 60 per cent completion,” he said.
The good governance team observed that serious construction work was ongoing at the site even while they were being conducted round and inside the center.
The team also visited a fish pond site and a one hectare cassava farm site, where women of the council used to harvest cassava for the local delicacy popularly known as”abacha” which Oji River is known for.
The council administration under Onyeagba also built a solar powered borehole with overhead tanks which supplies water to the Fish pond; used for the construction of the civic center; and supplies water to the Oji River correctional service staff quarters and Oji River School of Health, all outside the council area.
The Council chairman also rehabilitated, remodeled and equipped the council legislative assembly office and contributed over 45 per cent funds to the building and completion of the Oji River Police Station.
The chairman also constructed a one and half kilometers Galaxy road and solar street lights in Oji River town amongst other projects.
“To ensure adequate security of lives and property of residents of the local government area, the council bought two Hilux for the army; one Hilux for Civil Defence and Eight Motorcycles for the Neighborhood watch to boost their operations.
“All these have paid off as security has now improved drastically in Oji River,” he said.
In their separate reactions the leaders of the team commended the council chairman for what he had achieved within the two years of the administration.
Mr Ikechukwu Ekere (NLC), Mr Regis Anukwuoji (NUJ) and Onyebuchi Igboke all commended the chairman for utilising the resources of the council for some worthy projects.
