By Chioma Okoye

OHAOZARA, Ebonyi — The Chairman of Ohaozara Local Government Area of Ebonyi State, Osborn Nweze Umahi, has directed the 11 wards in the council area to submit five priority projects each for consideration by his administration.

Umahi gave the directive at an expanded stakeholders’ meeting held at Osborn Hotel, according to a statement by People of Ebonyi.

He said the proposals, to be submitted through the respective ward councillors, would help the council identify projects based on the needs and priorities of communities.

The initiative could result in 55 proposed projects from the 11 wards.

Umahi described the approach as a new style of leadership, saying it would give residents an opportunity to identify projects they consider most important to their communities.

“People are very happy and I have introduced a new style of leadership,” he said.

The council chairman said the proposals would be considered for inclusion in the administration’s action plan.

The projects are expected to cover areas of need identified by the respective communities, including roads, education, healthcare and other infrastructure.

However, the council is yet to announce the criteria for selecting projects from the submissions, the funding arrangements or timelines for implementation.

The exercise is expected to provide the council with community-level input in determining its development priorities across the 11 wards.