LG councils should be catalysts for rural development, says Ugwuanyi

The Governor of Enugu State, Hon. Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi, has said that local government councils should strive to be catalysts for development in rural areas in order to bring government closer to the grassroots.

Governor Ugwuanyi was speaking during a thank-you-visit by the people of Ezeagu Local Government Council to his country home at Orba, Udenu Local Government Area of the state.

The governor praised the chairman of the council, Mr. Chukwudi Ezinwa, for establishing an economic committee, noting that it is an exemplary step that should be emulated by other councils in the state. Governor Ugwuanyi added that rural development is a key focus of his administration, pointing out that it is consistent with the current determination to implement several roads projects, most of which are on-going.

'With your prayers, Enugu State will live out the dreams of the founding fathers. We have resolved to implement a project worth between N200,000,000 and 300,000,000 in each local government council area which will be captured in next year's budget.

'Every council area should sit down, hold meetings and agree on what their most expedient needs are', the governor said.

The governor also praised his deputy, Mrs. Cecilia Ezeilo, an indigene of Ezeagu Local Government for both her support and cordial relationship that exists between them.

He thanked the council for their support, urging them to continue to pray for his administration.

Responding, the Caretaker Committee Chairman, Mr. Ezinwa, thanked the governor for considering sons and daughters of the council worthy for appointment, pledging their total support for his administration. He praised the governor for his inclusive leadership style which he said had been replicated in his council area, pointing out that it is the reason for the 'enduring peace' in Ezeagu. 'Everyone has been carried everyone along,' he added.

Also speaking at the event, an ex-member of the House of Representatives and indigene of the council, Hon. Ora Ozomgbachi, praised the governor for his developmental projects carried out despite the current economic slump that has left many states unable to pay workers salaries (excluding Enugu and a few others), assuring the people that the 'governor's best is yet to come'.