Gov. Otti tasks new Mayors on security, welfare, devt, at inauguration

From Boniface Okoro, Umuahia

Abia State governor, Dr. Alex Otti, has charged Transition Committee Chairmen/Mayors for the 17 Local Government Areas of Abia State to prioritise security and welfare of the people, as well as development of communities in their areas.

Governor Otti gave the charge on Thursday, November 30, 2023, while inaugurating the local government administrators at Michael Okpara Auditorium, Umuahia, urging them to make the local communities conducive for active production and rapid growth.

  In his speech at the occasion titled: “Expanding the Frontiers of Development,” the Governor said: “Your first task as leaders of the various LGAs shall include strengthening the security architecture in the towns and villages within your domain, especially as the yuletide approaches,” reminding them of the resolve of his administration not to cede an inch of Abia territory “to any group of criminals, whether they are armed robbers, kidnappers or any individual or group, whose actions threaten the peace in our communities.”

 The Governor told the Mayors that in addition to ensuring security in their spheres of jurisdiction, they should quickly connect their Councils to the state to enable them to benefit from the economic networks and partnerships the state was building locally and globally, to make for rapid development of communities in the state.

 The Governor disclosed that his administration was working with multiple stakeholders, including multilateral and donor agencies, global IT companies and local financial institutions, to develop a robust framework for addressing the critical challenges facing the people, including endemic poverty, restricted access to basic amenities , limited skills for enhanced earning and unequal access to the boundless opportunities of the 21st century global economy and charged the new grassroots leaders to prepare their Councils to tap into these great opportunities.

 “Your primary task as Mayors and deputies shall be to make the local communities and towns conducive for active production and rapid growth. We expect you to quickly develop holistic frameworks for improving agriculture and light scale production in ways that enhance outputs and attract domestic and foreign investors,” Governor Otti said.

He reminded them that their appointment was a call to serve and not to be served, adding that they do not have the luxury of time and vast resources at their disposal and, therefore, must set their priorities right from the outset

 “We do not expect you to get everything right on the first day but you must be willing to learn, keeping your mind open to new ideas and possibilities,” he said, promising that his administration would give each of them freehand to manage the affairs of their Councils responsibly.

 “You must realise that while the task ahead is enormous, you do not have unlimited resources in money or time. You must therefore get your priorities right, build networks that can help you drive the development agenda of our Party in your LGAs and discern where more would be achieved through partnership with relevant agencies of the state,” the Governor said, adding that that it was very important that the Mayors designed their programmes in ways that align with the general development philosophy of the present Labour Party administration in the State.

 Explaining why he appointed such calibre of people as Mayors, Governor Otti said “we need the best hands and heads to drive the development of the state. We are in a hurry to elevate the standards of leadership to accommodate strictly those who have something to offer.”

 He thanked the Mayors and their Deputies for accepting to bring their extensive wealth of experience in various fields of human endeavours to bear in the service of their communities and urged them to serve as the vanguards of the New Abia in the 17 LGAs and guard against any forms of wrangling that may distract them.

 Earlier in his speech, the Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, Prince Uzor Nwachukwu, said Governor Alex Otti brought the Mayors on board because he has great plans for the LGAs, including ensuring accelerated development at the grassroots, expressing optimism that they (Mayors) would deliver, given their individual pedigrees.

 In their seperate speeches, the Mayor for IsialaNgwa South LGA, Dr. Elelenta Nwambuisi  Elelenta, the Mayor for Arochukwu LGA, Chief Joe Eze Aru and their Ikwuano counterpart, Mr. Osinachi Nwaka, thanked the Governor for appointing them and pledged their commitments to serve.

 The event which attracted many dignitaries, including the Deputy Governor, Engr. Ikechukwu Emetu; Speaker of the State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Emmanuel Emeruwa, and other members; Commissioners, aides of the Governor, the State Labour Party Chairman, Ceekay Igara; Chairman of Abia Council of Ndi Eze, His Royal Highness, Eze Linus Nto Mbah and his colleagues, among others. Secretary to the State Government, Prof. Kenneth Kalu, used the opportunity of the event to present the report of the Committee on Civil Service Reform.

 Below is the list of the Mayors, their Deputies and local governments of jurisdiction:

1. Aba North LGA:

Chairman- Ide John Udeagbala

Deputy- Prince Nnaemeka Ogbonna 

2. Aba South LGA:

Chairman- Mr. Uchechukwu A. C. Wogu

Deputy- Mrs. Nkiru Ugwu.

 3. Arochukwu LGA: 

Chairman- Chief Joe Eze Aru 

Deputy- Mr. Okezie Azuma

 4. Bende LGA: 

Chairman- Barr. Chijioke Nwankwo. 

Deputy- Mr. Onyedikachi Iroegbu

 5. Ikwuano LGA: 

Chairman- Mr. Osinachi Hycinth Nwaka.

Deputy- Chief Charles Ugbuajah

 6. IsialaNgwa North LGA: 

Chairman- Mr. C. Y. Nwankwo.

Deputy- Mr. Uchenna Nwanbuko.

 7. IsialaNgwa South LGA: 

Chairman- Dr. Elelenta Nwambuisi  Elelenta

Deputy- Mr. Eberechukwu Ahuruonye. 

 8. Isuikwuato LGA: 

Chairman – Air Vice Marshal Chinwendu Onyike (Rtd).

Deputy- Hon. Harrison Onuke.

 9. Obingwa LGA:

Chairman- Dr. Eric Egwuibe

Deputy- Mr. Chiemela Ekpemu

 10. Ohafia LGA:

Chairman- Chief David Ogba

Deputy- Hon. Mkpa Oju Uka.

 11. Osisioma Ngwa LGA:

Chairman- Engr. Israel Nweke

Deputy- Barr. Young Ngwaziem.

 12. Ukwa East LGA:

Chairman- Dr. Mrs. Ngozi Nwagbara

Deputy- Chief Onyebuchi Nnah.

 13. Ukwa West LGA: 

Chairman- Mr. Newman Azu.

Deputy- Mr. Anele Michael 

 14. Ugwunagbo LGA:

Chairman- Comrade Nosike Ihesiaba

Deputy- Mr. Nnamdi Kelvin Chijioke.

 15. Umuahia North LGA:

Chairman- Chief Victor Ikeji

Deputy- Mr. Okechukwu Anthony Amah.

 16. Umuahia – South LGA: 

Chairman- Mr. Obike Ejike Nnochiri

Deputy- Mr. Olendingwa Nwabueze

 17. Umunneochi LGA: 

Chairman- Mr. Ndubuisi Ike.

Deputy- Mr. Njoku Augustine C.