The Honourable Commissioner for Local Government, Chieftaincy and Rural Development, Enugu State, Deacon Okey Ogbodo, Tuesday paid a working visit to Nkanu West Local Government Area, LGA Secretariat, Agbani.

The Commissioner who was in company of other officials of the state government noted that the purpose of the visit was to assess the performance of the local government chairman, interact with the people of the area and ascertain their relationship with the local government leadership.

He thanked stakeholders and members of the People's Democratic Party, PDP in the area for their efforts in winning all the contested positions in the last general election. He called on those who feel aggrieved or worked against the party in any way to sheath their sword and reconcile with the party.

Assuring the people of Nkanu West LGA of Governor Peter Mbah's commitment to bringing unprecedented development to every community in Enugu State, Deacon Ogbodo hinted that "Gov. Peter Mbah will soon embark on a tour of all the development areas in Enugu State to thank the people for the confidence they have in him, which was demonstrated by their massive vote for PDP during the March 18 election".

"We are here on the directive of our amiable Governor, Dr. Peter Ndubuisi Mbah who is your son; to thank you for your doggedness in ensuring that Nkanu did not lose her rightful position in Lion Building, because it is the turn of Nkanu people to provide good governance in Enugu state. Peter Mbah is our son, and he needs our support to succeed in delivering on his campaign promises.

"We are also here to carry out a postmortem of the last general election and to reconcile all grievances in order to enable us forge ahead as a people; in other words, we came to ascertain the support base of our party after the last election.

"Peter Mbah wants the citizens to not only unite and be part of his new administration, but also to take ownership of the state government's developmental projects. Our amiable governor is on a difficult mission to turn around the ship of Enugu State, and we all know that it takes a long time to turn a Titan on the high sea", he stressed.

Deacon Okey Ogbodo, assured the people that in few weeks to come, different communities will begin to feel more impacts of government presence in terms of rural development.

"We are here because of the social contract you signed with our governor during the electioneering campaign. We came to know if the council chairman is working in tandem with the agreement; low and behold, I came and I saw that Uche Ejim is doing the needful. If nothing else, you (Uche Ejim) distinguished yourself by being a digital chairman", he stated.

The Commissioner who was obviously thrilled by the good testimonies from the stakeholders about the council chairman, Hon Uche Ejim said: "I was shocked by what I saw at Agbani Divisional Police Headquarters. I don't know what other achievement that can be greater that the digital security apparatus I saw at the police station. One of the things Gov. Peter Mbah did when he came into power is to solve the issue of insecurity, and it is solved", Ogbodo stated.

He used the opportunity to call on the people of the area to go about their lawful businesses on Mondays, describing anyone who does otherwise as being lazy and an enemy of the government.

Speaking earlier, the Executive Chairman of Nkanu West LGA, Hon. Uchenna Callistus Ejim thanked Governor Peter Mbah, whom he described as a "Disruptive Innovator" for setting the standards for the council chairmen to take a leaf from.

The council boss, who reeled out his achievements in office to the amazement and satisfaction of the visiting state government officials and Nkanu West stakeholders, noted that his idea of employing digital technology in the fight against insecurity in the council area was drawn from the state government's blueprint.

He listed his accomplished projects to include the construction of over 28 culverts across the 14 political wards in Nkanu West, ongoing construction of a 3.7km asphalt road in Obinagu Uwani, Akpugo, rural electrification, equipping and operationalizing of Umuatugbuoma Health Center, comprehensive renovation of Orjiagu Health Center, Agbani.

Others include the construction of military checkpoint with accommodation and security tower at Amodu, completion of Ndiagu-Umuagwa-Umuokwuo bridge, construction of a two-storey concrete reinforced security tower with 50 surveillance cameras across Nkanu West LGA among numerous others.

According to Ejim "we have made giant strides; our mantra remains 'Beyond the next election, but the next generation', and we have lived up to that.

"Our party, the PDP has thrived tremendously under us, bringing to bare the results of the last general elections, which made us one of the two local government areas that won all the contested positions for PDP in Enugu State.

"Under our administration, the councilors have done three constituency projects in their respective wards; they are all here to testify. This is in addition to complete payment of their entire wardrobe, furniture, recess and all other allowances.

"On road project, in Obinagu Uwani, we are aggressively attacking a 3.7km asphalt road, with about 7.4km double drainage and 11 adjoining culverts completed.

"My community in Obinagu Uwani never had electricity before we came into power, but under my watch, it is now a thing of the past. We did not only connect to the national grid, but also installed solar powered street lights in the community.

"Before the election, we installed solar lights and cameras in all the 14 collation centres in Nkanu West. We have also installed solar lights in Akpugo ward III, Umueze and Obe Communities.

"In the health sector, we have equipped and operationalized Umuatugbuoma Health Center, and in less than 21 days of its commissioning, we had 4 child births in the facility, of which we paid their hospital bills and presented gift items to them. The Orjiagu Health Center, which is rated the largest in Enugu East senatorial zone, with 54 windows was ravaged by rain and fire many years ago. Again, we attacked it from the roof to the ceiling, facials and equipped it with beds, solar lights and water reticulated right round the entire structure. Today it is functioning optimally and you can go and verify.

"My leaders, we met a bridge that disconnected a community in Akgbe Ugwu into two. As we speak, that bridge is over 90% completed.

"We have successfully completed a two-storey concrete reinforced security surveillance centre at Agbani Divisional Police Headquarters with 50 surveillance cameras installed all over Nkanu West LGA.

"My leaders, to the glory of God, we have recorded numerous achievements and I wouldn't want to take much of your time naming them. I implore you to make out time and visit us again so that we can take you round to see and verify for yourself", Ejim concluded.

The chairman, who expressed his strong commitment in rendering impactful developmental services to his people, added that his administration has over 180 political appointees, ranging from Supervisors, Special Advisers, Senior Special Assistants, Special Assistants and Executive Assistants.

Speaking at the occasion, the Spokesperson of Peter Mbah Campaign Organization, Barr. Nana Ogbodo, who described the council chairman as "a good student of his master", noted that what Ejim is doing in the area of digital security in Nkanu West is in line with what Governor Peter Mbah is doing at the state level. He added that "no other person is better qualified to be the council chairman at this time than Uche Ejim. My reason is because he has served as a councilor for 4years, also served many council chairmen as SPA, SSA, CSO etc., and hence understands how best to lead the people of Nkanu West", Nana concluded.

In his own speech, the former PDP State Secretary, and former Special Adviser to fomer Governor Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi on Information, Barr. Steve Oruruo called on Governor Peter Mbah to ensure that Hon. Uche Ejim is returned for second tenure, having justified the first opportunity given to him.

Oruruo said that: "I am not the type that gives accolades to those in power, but I must commend our council chairman, Hon Uche Ejim because he has done exceptionally well. We have witnessed some chairmen who occupied the same position without achieving anything; this is why I am forced to commend Uche Ejim for not disappointing us".

He stressed that his reason for advocating for the council chairman to be re-elected for second tenure is because "that is the only way to prove that hardwork and loyalty pays".

In their separate speeches, the PDP Chairman in the local government, Hon. Michael Nnamoko, the local government woman leader, Mrs Patience Ngene, the representative of the Town Union Presidents, Hon. Chuks Nneji, the Leader of Nkanu West Legislative Council, Hon. John Okorie, the chairman, Nkanu West Traditional Ruling Council, HRH Igwe John Anem, the chairman Ogbete Market Traders Association (OMATA), Chief Stephen Aniagu, and the former Deputy Chairman, Nkanu West LGA, Hon. Onyeka Onwe commended the outstanding performance of Hon. Uche Ejim and also recommended the council chairman for a second tenure.

Other stakeholders who were present at the well attended meeting include the Deputy Chairman and Secretary of the local government, Hon. Chijioke Oscar Ngene and Hon. Modecaiah Edeh respectively, former chairmen of Nkanu West LGA, Hon. Afam Nnaji and Hon. Dr. Chika Okenwani, former Transition Committee Chairman, Nkanu West LGA, Hon Sunday Nnamani, all the 14 councilors, 5 Supervisors, SPAs and all other political appointees among others.