Enugu: Development of Oji River Urban Master Plan excites Anyaegbudike

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By Iheanyi Chukwudi

Chairman of Oji River Local Government, Enugu State, Mr Greg Anyaegbudike, has identified the development of the draft Oji River Urban Master Plan as his major achievement in his 100 days in office.

Anyaegbudike who was reviewing his administration's activities in his first 100 days in office as the Executive Chairman, at Oji River town, noted that the Master Plan will benefit the LGA in many ways including economic, environmental, social, infrastructure, ICT and governance for the next 30 years.

He stressed that with the 30 years rolling Master Plan, “Oji River council area is setting itself up for sustainable growth, improved quality of life and a greater future for its residents.”

On the crucial issue of security, the Executive Chairman noted that security was a major challenge before his assumption of office, but expressed delight that the Council had made investments in the procurement of security gadgets and equipment including hi-tech facilities to engage the menace.

He added that there is now a digital surveillance system to support existing efforts for security in the local government, saying, "we have successfully identified dark spots" just as there had been subsequent crackdown on criminal elements.

Anyaegbudike further said, “We have provided access to farm lands and bushes by opening/bulldozing new motorable roads in Uzo-Agu to Elugwu Akwu and from Ezi German deep into Agu Akwu, up to 3 kilometers. We are moving deeper.

Proactively clearing of road-path bushes that previously served as ambush points; thereby reducing the risk of attacks and insecurity.

We have strengthened Neighbourhood Watch through training and support for timely and accurate incident reporting from all neighbourhoods in Oji River as well as repaired and maintained Neighbourhood and Forest Guards vehicles for effective law enforcement.

We have trained Local Government Chief Security Officer and his deputies on advanced digital crime combat strategies, equipment usage, enhanced and proactive crime prevention and response. We have invested massively in security, because for us it is a necessity.”

On infrastructure, he said that the Council had partnered with agencies like Federal Roads Maintenance Agency (FERMA) and Rural Electrification Agency (REA) for provision of infrastructure.

The Council boss explained that the reconstruction of the drainage and replacement of the culvert at the junction leading to Achi from Enugu-Awka Old Road was done in partnership with FERMA and was completed.

“FERMA largely replaced the culvert at the beginning of Achi Road, while the Council authority contributed to other ancillary activities like providing alternative access, control of traffic and facilitation of other aspects of the work.

The Council is grading and rehabilitating a failed portion of Oji-Achi-Awgu Road in partnership with House of Representatives Member for Aninri, Awgu and Oji River Federal Constituency. Work is ongoing.

The repair of failed portions of Achi-Awgu Road and Nkwo Inyi Road with asphalts including removal of unfriendly bumps along the roads up to Awlaw.

We are also making replacements with friendly bumps and filling of potholes with asphalt along Oji-Achi-Awgu Road and Amaetiti-Inyi Road etc. The Council bulldozer and grader have been repaired; while its roller rehabilitation is also in line.”

Noting that the Council had made impact in social investment on welfare and well-being of its residents as well as reduced bureaucratic bottlenecks through extensive use of technology in its offices.

The Chairman further said, “We are just starting. We are mindful of the social contract we have with the good people Oji River council area and our resolve to provide outstanding service to our people remains unwavering."