A cross section of Abians have tabled list of their
expectations from the newly-elected chairmen and councillors of local governments in the State.
This is coming at the time Governor Okezie Ikpeazu at the time Governor Okezie Ikpeazu has charged the elected local government executives to be agents of transformation in their respective areas of leadership.
Ikpeazu gave the charge on Tuesday at Michael Okpara auditorium, Umuahia while swearing-in the officials.
Some of the Abians who spoke on the matter, including Anglican Bishop of Umuahia Diocese, Rt Rev Geoffery Ibeabuchi and businessman , Eze Dr Alex Nweke said the election of the LGA officials were ample opportunities to carve their names in the sand of history through transformation of their people.
In his Christmas sermon on Wednesday on at St Stephen’s Cathedral, Umuahia, Bishop Ibeabuchi congratulated the newly elected officials but reminded them of the responsibility they owe the people.
This, the Bishop said, included actualising the pre-election promises made to the electorate and ruling with the rest of God.
Also speaking, Chief Alex Nweke, a business man from Umueze Ohiya Umuahia South called for financial autonomy for local governments in Nigeria, while demanding establishment of industries in Abia State to tackle unemployment among the the youth population.
Shedding more light on the needs of Abians, a community leader, Chief C.O Nwoke urged the elected Chairmen to identify and execute important projects that would impact positively on the lives of the people, while swearing-in the new officia to always consult community leaders to know the needs of the rural people.
This, he said, would help the LG bosses in avoiding starting white elephant projects which would not benefit the people.
Also, some butchers at popular Umuahia central Abattoir Ubakala, in their own demands, congratulated the new Chairman of Umuahia South LGA, Hon Humphrey Benson for his victory but urged him and his councillors to feature the abattoir prominently in his agenda.
One of the butchers who gave his name as Fabian Okonkwo said the Chairmen of the butchers’ association, Pastor Bright Oriaku had done his best to ensure a good operating environment in the abattoir but regretting that the butchers were always forgotten by government officials after every election.
The butcher said the Umuahia central Abattoir generates large revenue for the Abia State through local government regulatory agencies posted to the Aba on daily basis and therefore, should enjoy commensurate infrastructural development at the abattoir.
