Attention: Mr. Chudy Okpara, a.k.a. Ogaramba Turu Ugo, of part of a clan in Amuda town.
We have read your recent post on the Abia Arise Platform, in which you stated:
«“People are elected into public positions to attract development to communities, but it seems ours is used for jamboree.”»
You further stated:
“Federal Government is releasing huge funds to the Local Government for grassroots development. Why can’t the LGA Boss do something? Instead, he prioritises Ikpa Ezi (pig farming) in Umunneochi over community development projects that will benefit the masses. Ikpa Ezi should be a private business venue, for Christ’s sake!”
You also claimed:
“Billions of naira have been credited to Umunneochi LGA through FAAC. Unfortunately, there is nothing much to show rather than pictures of meetings, Iri Ji and Ida Iya…”
You then asked:
“Is it a political crime for an LG Chairman to commission a project in his tenure?”
These are your words as published and signed by you. We have deliberately quoted them as written, with some amendments on poor grammar, so that the reading public can appreciate the basis of our response.
Ordinarily, we would not have considered it necessary to respond to what appear to be uninformed and ignorant conclusions. However, in the interest of the public and for the purpose of setting the records straight, we wish to make the following clarifications.
- ON GRASSROOTS DEVELOPMENT
The essence of Local Government Administration is grassroots development, and the administration of the Executive Chairman of Umunneochi Local Government Area, Mayor Mazi Sunny Afurobi, remains committed to that responsibility.
As of today, 10 out of the 12 wards in Umunneochi have benefited from visible projects and interventions, with some already completed and others at various stages of completion.
Among the projects and interventions undertaken by the administration are the Achara Bridge, Amuda Culvert, comprehensive retrofitting and renovation of the Council Secretariat with modern furniture, renovation of the Legislative Chambers with modern facilities, solar-powered 24 hour electricity at the LGA Headquarters, Starlink internet connectivity, the Umuelem flood and erosion control project, a security building at the Ndiawa military checkpoint, and the new military base at Umuaku.
The administration has also provided modern evening markets at Ubahu Nneato, Orie Ngodo, Aho Ajala Mbala and Lekwesi, with facilities including water boreholes and solar-powered streetlights.
Other interventions include the culvert at Eziama Agbo, solar powered streetlights at Nkwoagu and Ihie Market, Solar Light Interventions at various security flashpoints, and the establishment of a 15 hectare Cassava Farm at Umuada Ngodo.
Plans are also underway for the commencement of a garri processing plant at Obinolu, Ngodo, as part of efforts to strengthen Agricultural Value Chains and create economic opportunities for residents.
Through the Techrise programme, the Mayor has also facilitated the training of more than 130 Umunneochi Youths in Information and Communication Technology (ICT) and supported their digital empowerment with laptops.
These are not merely pictures or jamborees. They are concrete interventions designed to improve Infrastructure, Security, Agriculture, Healthcare, Education and Economic opportunities across Umunneochi.
- ON THE “IKPA EZI” PIG FARM PROJECT
You repeatedly referred to Ikpa Ezi, the Agricultural Project being undertaken by the administration. Your comments suggest that you may not have fully appreciated the scope and economic objectives of the project.
For the records, the piggery project is a multimillion naira Agricultural Investment valued at over ₦300 million, with several components, including a Feed Mill Factory designed to produce quality livestock feed for farmers within and outside the project.
Other components include a Solar Powered Water Borehole, Staff Quarters, Solar Power facilities and other supporting infrastructure.
The project is designed not merely as a pig farm but as part of a broader agricultural value chain capable of stimulating other businesses and economic activities in Umunneochi.
These include Pig Farming, Livestock Feed Production, Meat Processing and Marketing, Butchery Businesses, Transportation, Entertainment and other support services.
The broader agricultural initiative is also expected to accommodate Goat Rearing, Poultry Farming, Cassava Cultivation and Pepper Farming, among other agricultural activities.
Upon completion and full operation, the project is expected to create employment opportunities for residents of Umunneochi. It is also designed to support aspiring and indigent farmers through training and the provision of piglets to enable them establish their own piggery businesses.
Another important objective is to encourage the development of slaughter and meat processing facilities closer to the people, thereby expanding access to affordable protein while creating additional economic opportunities.
The project is located in Amuda, your own Community. Rather than dismissing it without examining its components and objectives, we encourage you to visit the project site, ask questions and acquaint yourself with the opportunities it is designed to create.
Constructive criticism is valuable when it is based on facts and proper understanding of the subject matter. It is time to move away from the mentality that if one is not personally favoured, every initiative undertaken by a leader must automatically be condemned, even ignorantly.
- ON FAAC ALLOCATIONS TO THE LGA
You repeatedly referred to billions of naira allegedly credited to the Umunneochi Local Government account through FAAC.
A proper discussion of Local Government finances should also take into consideration the role of the Joint Accounts Allocation Committee (JAAC) and other statutory financial obligations and expenditures associated with Local Government administration.
More importantly, the resources available to the Local Government are being deployed across different sectors and communities.
For instance, the administration is undertaking the retrofitting, renovation and equipping of 18 Primary Health Centres, alongside interventions in schools, including Smart Schools and the renovation, retrofitting and equipping of other educational facilities.
Other major interventions include the General Hospital project in Amuda, your village as well as road projects such as the extension of Umuelem Road, Ngodo–Umuaku–Mbala Road, Ngodo–Ndiawa Road, Ngodo–Lomara Road and sections of the Umuchieze Ring Road, among others.
Beyond capital projects, the Local Government also has substantial recurrent obligations.
Umunneochi has a large workforce, including teachers and other Local Government employees, whose salaries are paid monthly. Traditional rulers receive their statutory payments, while substantial resources are also required for security, pensions and other essential obligations, where do you think the money comes from? This is the second or more times you are inciting the public about billions of naira being given to the LGA Chairman. Very soon, you may have to respond or explain how the funds are misdirected. Very soon.
It is therefore misleading to present Local Government resources as though they are funds placed entirely at the disposal of the Chairman for discretionary spending.
The relevant question should be: How are available resources being deployed, and what measurable interventions are being delivered to the people?
On that score, the administration has several projects and interventions across Umunneochi to point to. Therefore, the assertion that there is “nothing much to show” does not reflect the reality on ground, and exposes complete ignorance of functionality of government activities and denying the benefits you personally enjoy. Learn objectivity and these wild criticism may seriously question peoples level of expossureand integrity.
- ON MEETINGS, IRI JI AND IDA IYA
You also attempted to ridicule the Mayor by referring to pictures of meetings, Iri Ji and Ida Iya.
We make no apology for the Mayor’s deliberate decision to remain connected with the people at the grassroots.
This is the season of New Yam celebrations, and the Mayor has made it a point of duty to visit and celebrate with communities across Umunneochi.
Beyond the cultural significance of these visits, they provide an opportunity for the Mayor to interact directly with traditional rulers, community leaders, women, youths and other stakeholders.
Through stakeholder meetings and community engagements, the administration is able to identify the challenges confronting different communities and respond to them appropriately.
Similarly, during cultural celebrations such as Iri Ji and Ida Iya, the Mayor uses the opportunity not only to celebrate with the people but also to extend support to indigent members of communities through cash and material assistance.
However, parochial, bitter, wicked, and acrimonious minds will not understand the benefits.
Community engagement is therefore not a substitute for development. Rather, it is an important component of effective grassroots leadership.
- ON YOUR CONTINUOUS CRITICISM OF THE MAYOR
Mr. Chudy Okpara, you are entitled to your opinions and criticisms of the Mayor and his administration. However, such criticisms should be based on facts, fairness and a proper understanding of the issues. So your bickering, backbiting, and deliberate campaign of calumny against the Mayor, is of no essence. He has tried to help you a couple of times, as a friend but you failed shot. Of course, you know the truth.
The administration of Mayor Sunny Afurobi has continued to focus on projects and interventions that directly affect the lives of the people.
Before assuming office as Executive Chairman, Mayor Sunny Afurobi was already an established individual. His administration therefore maintains that its focus is on using available resources to improve infrastructure, agriculture, healthcare, education, security and economic opportunities in Umunneochi.
We believe that the people of Umunneochi deserve constructive criticism rather than allegations, misinformation or personal attacks politically motivated. Currently, you are loosely supporting a candidate in another party for a position, and another in another part for another position, yet you claim you are Abia Arise member and Labour Party member. You use Abia Arise Platform to criticise your government, yet the Abia Arise Coordinator and your cohorts hide their faces. Stop using Abia Arise and Labour Party Platforms for your ignorance, clandestine hide and seek games. You are, of course entitled to your mindless opinion and baseless criticisms, but always lace it with facts and proper understanding of the issues on ground.
If there are specific projects you believe should be undertaken, we encourage you to identify them clearly and make constructive suggestions. That would contribute more meaningfully to the development of Umunneochi than dismissing ongoing interventions without examining their scope and objectives.
It is also important that political platforms be used responsibly. Political disagreements are part of democratic engagement, but they should not become a reason to misrepresent facts or undermine legitimate development initiatives.
The administration of Mayor Sunny Afurobi, Obidike Umunneochi, remains focused on delivering development to the people and responding to the needs of communities across the Local Government Area.
The people can see the projects. The communities can identify the interventions. The records will ultimately speak for themselves.
The moving train has left the station, and no amount of noise will stop it.
Mayor Afurobi Media Team
