By Uzo Ugwunze :
The new Transition Committee Chairman, Idemili North Local Government Area, Sir Stanley Nkwoka has assured his people that he would run an administration built on transparency, accountability and ensure conservation of a healthy environment during his tenure, saying that he has to work assiduously to prove himself for the next level.
Presenting his inaugural address at the council secretariat, Ogidi as he resumed office, Sir Nkwoka said his vision was to build a sustainable, inclusive and prosperous local government,where every Nwa Idemili has access to quality services, opportunities, and a healthy environment.
“As we mark the beginning of a new chapter in our LGA, we will focus on enhancing infrastructural development; improving healthcare and primary education; promoting economic growth and job creation; promoting our environment and conservation; fostering community engagement and stakeholder participation; improving local security.
“I will work tirelessly to ensure transparency, accountability and good governance. Our doors are open to suggestions, ideas and feedback because our vision and priorities are anchored on the four major pillars of Mr Governor’s Solution agenda viz a viz : economic transformation; social agenda; governance,rule of law and value system; and environment,” said Nkwoka.
He noted that he will make accountability his watch-word and misappropriation, mismanagement or misapplication of funds will not be condoned in his administration as every penny of the council will be administered in line with set purpose.
Nkwoka promised to build trust and transparency in Idemili North LGA by collaborating with key stakeholders, including councillors, community leaders, and business groups, to ensure inclusive decision-making and effective governance.
The chairman further promised to develop a practical waste management plan to tackle the existing waste management issues.
He pledged to revive the monthly environmental sanitation exercise, focusing on desilting drainages and cleaning the environment, and to reactivate environmental health officers to enforce cleanliness, similar to the approach taken in the 1980s.
Nkwoka vowed to support the governor’s free education initiative, ensuring that all children within the primary 1 to junior secondary school 3 age range attend school instead of roaming the streets or hawking during school hours.
He also promised to motivate teachers by providing free accommodation, courtesy of community support, and ensuring that experienced teachers are posted to Idemili North LGA.
Nkwoka emphasised that youths in Idemili North LGA would be integrated into Governor Soludo’s ‘1 Youth 2 Skills’ program, emphasizing the importance of dignity of labor.
He committed to engaging youths in town security and promoting youth empowerment and engagement, while also ensuring that cultism and restiveness would not be tolerated during his tenure.
The TC Chairman also pledged to boost revenue generation in the council area by 100 percent, adding that he would engage prominent sons and daughters of Idemili North to embrace Governor Soludo’s Public Private Community Partnership (PPCP)/Akulueuno by constructing road and drainages in the towns and villages towards infrastructural development.
Moreso,Sir Nkworka further stated that his administration would give attention to the welfare and empowerment of disabled persons in the LGA which had been neglected over time. He also promised to partner with Anambra Ministry of Health to post health officers and ensure that umu Idemili have access to quality healthcare.
Also, he said he would stop street trading and trading on drainages, saying that he would decongest the roads to enhance free flow of traffic in the LGA.
Nkwoka declared that the re-election of Governor Chukwuma Soludo for a second term was crucial and pledged to collaborate with stakeholders and party leaders to take the campaign to the grassroots level, highlighting the achievements and good works of the Governor to secure his re-election and continuation of his impactful governance.
Earlier, the Head, Local Government Administration, Mr Emeka Achukwu un behalf of the LGA staff welcomed the newly inaugurated TC Chairman to the secretariat, pledging that he would ensure that all the different departments cooperate with the new LG boss to drive his visions and aspirations.
Highlights of the event Included the presentation of a recognition award to the TC Chairman by some members of his hometown, Abatete All Stars led by Chukwudi Anyaefena and Chike Okwulora Nwaezigbo.
* Ugwunze is of the Ministry of Information, Anambra State *