GOVERNOR Willie Obiano of Anambra has declared his government’s readiness to commence the 3rd phase of the N20m Community Choose Your Project Initiative.

The governor declared on Jan. 31, at a retreat organised by the state government for Ndi Igwe and presidents-general of 177 communities in Anambra at the Prof. Dora Akunyili Centre, Awka.

Obiano expressed satisfaction at effective, diligent and transparent manner used by communities in the execution of the first and second phases of the initiative.

The governor was represented by Primus Odili, his chief of staff.

The governor lauded efforts of Ndi Igwe and presidents-general that showed their commitments in assisting to supervise execution of the projects in various communities.

The governor re-assured that the third phase would begin soon.

He also noted that the economy of the state improved significantly over the past five years as a result of direct investments into the state’s economy via community projects carried out alongside other progressive economic accomplishments.

“Our state is the safest state in Nigeria. We also have the fourth largest economy in the country,’’ noted the government.

“We have continued to attract foreign and local investments because of our secure environment.

“The third phase of the community project initiative will aim at bringing development closer to the people. This will help to create direct and indirect job opportunities for Ndi Anambra so as to further engage the youths positively.

“It is our commitment to continue the development strides and leave legacy projects for Ndi Anambra at the end of my tenure.’’

The governor also seized opportunity created by the retreat to clear the air on the impasse between the state government and the leadership of Ohaneze Ndi Igbo.

According him the issue stemmed from Ohaneze’s failure to honour the late Dr Nnamdi Azikiwe, the Owelle of Onitsha and foremost nationalist, during President Buhari’s visit.

His visit was ostensibly to inaugurate a Mausoleum built in honour a worthy son of Anambra Stat, the state, Zik of Africa.

“Ohaneze opted to endorse a candidate for the upcoming elections in a hurried and poorly constituted meeting of `Ime Obi’ on a day when the nation gathered in Onitsha to honour our great Zik of Africa.

“In doing so, the Ohaneze leadership rejected wise counsel and reneged on an earlier agreement for the apex Igbo social-cultural group to be non partisan and neutral,’’ Obiano said.

In a response, Igwe Gibson Nwosu, the traditional ruler of Awka, thanked the governor for his visionary leadership and economic advancement of the state.

He pledged the support of all traditional institutions toward the effort of royal fathers in maintaining peace and security in the state.

Igwe Nwosu prayed for peace in the state and country, pleading that the impasse be promptly be nipped in the bud.

Garba Umar, the Anambra State commissioner of Police, who was represented by CSP Odion Ekeinde, affirmed the command’s commitment toward maintaining security and safety in the state.

He commended government’s effort at supporting security agencies in the state, especially in community policing.

“The effective collaboration among the state and local governments, as well as the traditional institutions has aided the police in fighting crime in the state.

“The community vigilante groups, in particular, have assisted in no little measure at ensuring effective security and safety of lives and property.’’

Ishiaku Yusuf, the state director, Department of State Services, DSS, observed that government partnered security agencies to evolve strategies that have been helping to contain the herdsmen/farmer’s clashes.

He observed that it is regrettable that cultism and drug abuse now constitute fresh security challenge to the state.

“Issues of cultism and drug abuse have been prevalent among the youths; it is fast becoming a major security challenge to the state.

“I want to plead with the royal fathers and presidents-general to intensify efforts at enlightening the youths about dangers of drug abuse.

“They should also be informed that the governor has mandated security agencies to eradicate cultism from the state forthwith.”

Benneth Udeji Chinweze, the president-general, Nteje community in Oyi Local Government Area, commended the police and other security agencies for fighting various crimes in the state.

He, however, stressed the need to close ranks and called for more collaborative effort between locals and security agencies.

Chukwuka Jideofor Onubogu, the president-general, Ogidi, urged the police to partner traditional institutions in crime-fighting and prevention.

According to him security agencies should stem incidences of indiscriminate and unlawful arrest of citizens and instead advocated for proper investigations before arrests are made.

Traditional ruler of Uke Community and consultant to the state government on community projects, Igwe Charles Agbala presented a compilation of the projects and their current status from the first to second phases.

The presentation showed some completed community halls, hospitals, markets, drainage, culverts, water projects and others, depending on project choices by communities.

Greg Obi, the commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Matters, thanked Obiano for this laudable and visionary initiative.

According to him the government will be injecting not less than N10 billion into the local economy by the time the third phase of the initiative.

He commended traditional rulers and the presidents-general for supporting government’s initiative.

The initiative has no doubt impacted in communities and as the head to the third, it is expected communities adopt them as unique opportunities to back what rightly belongs to them.

– Feb. 1, 2019 @ 16:49 GMT |