Rt. Hon Justice Nzeh is the chairman of Ikeduru local government area of Imo state, one of the few council bosses experienced in local government administration, having being a councillor and leader of Ikeduru Legislative Council. In this short interview with CHIDIEBERE IWUOHA, he gives his scorecards after one year in office.
What is your impression of Gov Hope Uzodinma towards LGAs
I want to seize this opportunity to commend Gov Hope Uzodinma for organising a successful local government executive staff retreat for us. It was for chairmen and councillors; secretaries of the 27 local government areas, treasurers, internal auditors and DAGs. We gathered a lot of experiences from it. Part of what we gathered are being implemented in our various local government areas right now.
What has been the level of relationship between you and your colleagues?
I have been carrying stakeholders in my local government area along in the decision-making process, especially as it concerns the execution of projects in the various communities. We are also aware that the needs of every community in terms of projects vary. You know that I had been part of the local government system before now, so I discuss the needs of every community before projects are executed. In the first stakeholders’ meeting I called, it was on Needs Assessment. While some may need solar-powered lights for security reasons, others may need boreholes, roads, markets, while some others may need renovation of schools, health centers, etc. Having gathered the needs, we now try to execute them within the confines of the funds available at our disposal.
What had been your achievements since you came in?
When I resume in September 2024, the council was in a state of disrepair. The leaking roofs were first of all tackled, then cleaners were brought in to clean the whole place. I replaced door blinds, bought high powered fans for both the executive and legislative arms. I also bought air conditioners and refurbished the broken-down upholsteries and the rickety ones. Then, I renovated the offices of my vice, the chairperson, secretary of the local government, legislative chamber which I transformed to become one of the best in the state. In fact, I made sure I put in place modern furniture for the councillors. On assumption, NULGE members were not happy because there were no conveniences in the council, but soon, I built modern conveniences for males and females. The source of water supply was reactivated. The quarters for both staff and corps members that were without light and water were given due attention with borehole replaced and made functional. Power lines that were summarily vandalised were also replaced and power restored after paying the EEDC bills owed. The LG council canteen is 90% completed and the clean-up of the council compound is done every three weeks; that is why the premises is always clean. I have brought on board our brothers and sisters living overseas to come and partner with us to build and develop Ikeduru. The effort has yielded the desired dividend. Today, a modern motor park at Amanwozuzu is under construction under a Public Private Partnership (PPP) arrangement. Through a tenders board that was properly constituted, the contract was properly advertised, bided for and awarded. Last December, 84.6 kilometres of Ikeduru roads traversing the 29 autonomous communities in the area were graded. We have a policy called ‘One month, one project’ where we fashion out what we called ‘Light up Ikeduru Project’ wherein solar-powered lights are mounted everywhere. Presently, under the programme, two wards, Inyishi-Umudim and Amaimo wards are being lit up as we speak. Again, a grounded 200kva transformer was repaired and delivered to Umushievelle Owalla Avuvu. At Eke Atta market, approval has been given and all monies paid for a modern abattoir. Also, efforts have been made to rehabilitate bad roads and tackle erosion problems in the LGA. I drew the attention of the governor to the very bad state of Umushievelle Owalla Avuvu gully erosion site and Orie Amakohia-Owu Amakohia gully erosion sites. In his usual magnanimity, he put into the two sites into the 2025 budget.
What was the secret you adopted for the rehabilitation of timber/allied market at Ngugo?
In one of my unscheduled visits, I discovered that the Timber and Allied Market at Ngugo did not have a source of water supply or convenience. Today, there is a modern convenience for traders and their customers with a functional clean borehole. Also, the link road to the market from the major road that used to be impassable was properly graded last December and now very good.
What have you done to harness agricultural benefits for your people?
In the area of agriculture, I have empowered the youths of Ikeduru through the provision of fingerlings, feed and cash gifts. Also, we have planted more than 500 palm seedlings in the council farm within the council headquarters.
