. Set up project-implementation c’ttee to drive community development

By Steve Oko

UMUAHIA – Ngwa people in the United States of America, have expressed satisfaction over the midterm scorecard of Governor Alex Otti, saying that he has laid foundation for a New Abia.

This is as they have inaugurated a committee known as Home Project Implementation, Monitoring and Advisory Team to help drive community development initiatives in Ngwa land.

Ngwa nation comprises seven out of the 17 Local Local Government Areas in Abia State.

National President of the Ngwa National Association USA Inc, (NNAUSA), Dr Ugochukwu Agu, who spoke during a grand civil reception for Otti by Oha Isiala Ngwa people at Okpuala Ngwa, said Otti’s policies and approach to governance, had already put the Abia economy on the path of growth.

The NNAUSA President noted with delight, the massive infrastructural transformation being witnessed in Abia under Otti’s watch, and said it would help attract investors to the state.

He declared the readiness of NNAUSA, to identify with, and complement the developmental strides of Gov. Otti especially in the education sector.

Dr Agu announced that “NNAUSA is complementing the educational initiatives of Governor Otti by floating scholarship opportunities to Ukwa Ngwa students in institutions of higher learning” among other empowerment programmes.

The NNAUSA President urged support for the Otti’s administration, expressing confidence that Abia would witness more transformation in the years ahead.

He, however, appealed to the Governor to consider the reconstruction of the deplorable Umuaduru road in Osisioma Ngwa, leading to the NNAUSA Unity Complex to enable the association put the facility into good use.

Governor Otti, had while responding to the appeal, directed the Commissioner for Works to ensure CA motorable access road to the complex as soon as possible.

Otti thanked the Ngwa nation in US for celebrating him and for all their support to his administration.

The Governor vowed to sustain the tempo of development across the state, reiterating that he came on board to change the old order, and set a solid foundation for a prosperous Abia.

Meanwhile, speaking during the inauguration of the Home Project Implementation, Monitoring and Advisory Team, held at Aba South Council headquarters, the NNAUSA President, said the move was part of the efforts of the association to promote the welfare of Ngwa people at home.

He said the team was set up to drive NNAUSA’s community developmental initiatives including the educational scholarship programmes under the Ngwa Educational and Outreach Foundation (NEOF); the Village Primary School Initiative (NNAUSA VPSI); skills acquisition programmes, among others.

Dr Agu who said “the team serve as a bridge between NNAUSA and some of the statutory committees’ engagements back home on projects and other activities”, charged members of the committee to see their appointment as a call to serve the people.

He enumerated the duties of the team to include: advising NNAUSA leadership on significant projects and monitoring their implementation progress; and facilitating communication between stakeholders to ensure seamless project execution.

Others include helping NNAUSA identify areas of need and potential risks that could delay implementation or derail any perceived objectives to NNAUSA initiatives; as well as providing guidance on technical and operational issues surrounding NNAUSA’s initiatives.

He also said part of the duties of the team would be to review NNAUSA’s developmental initiatives to ensure alignment with people’s needs.

In his acceptance speech on behalf of other members of the team, the Chairman, Dr Chinagozi Adindu, thanked NNAUSA leadership for giving them to the opportunity to serve, and promised not to betray the trust but serve with integrity, transparency and dedication.

Some members of the team were Hon. Justice L.T.C Eruba; Professor Paul Ananaba (SAN); Hon. Emmanuel Mbuko;
Mr Peter Ebere; Mrs Nkenyi Anyanwu; and Enyinnaya Standhope Nwaigwe (Secretary); among others.

In a remark, Mayor of Aba South LGA, Hon. Obialor Anyanwu, commended the patriotic spirit of NNAUSA leadership in driving community development in Ngwa land, and pledged support for the association’s developmental initiatives.