The Executive Director of Network of Non-governmental organization of Nigeria, (NNNGO), Mr. Oluseyi Oyebisi has called for a national plan of action to achieve the new global goals for sustainable development in Nigeria.
Oyebisi made this known at an event organised by Save the Children, ONE Campaign, The Nigeria Network of NGOs, CSDEVNET and The Future Project held University of Lagos.
The Sustainable Developments Goals are a new global targets recently ratified by over 150 heads of state and governments across the world at the United Nations General Assembly in New York.
Oyebisi said, “Nigeria can only implement the new sustainable development goals if there is a national plan of action on the sustainable development goals by the federal government which will set the pace for private sectors and other stakeholders’ involvement and participation in its implementation.
He said that the federal government’s stance and posture toward the full adaptation and implementation of the new sustainable goals is imperative for the goals to be achieved.
These goals, he said, should be adopted and consultation should be done in all the ministries, agencies and departments of government on how it relate to them and fashion out ways government and other stakeholders can key into the goals.
He said, “Tackling poverty, promoting inclusive education for all, promoting healthy environment and affordable and efficient energy for all are among the new SDGs which must be pursued vigorously by everyone”.
He opined that monitoring and evaluation of the new goals should be put in place to ascertain the effectiveness of the goals periodically.
Oyebisi, who lamented that Africa, especially Nigeria could not meet the just concluded millennium development goals because there was enough political will and coordinated approach by government agencies who would have galvanize all other stakeholders toward meeting the goals.
He opined that funding for the implementation can be source from curbing illicit corrupt funds, aids and grants, taxes and foreign direct investment.
Also speaking at the event, the Executive Director of One Campaign, Edwin Ikhuoria challenged Nigerians to own the new global goals and hold government accountable for its implementation.
He said, “The office of the citizen is the most important office that can exist. The citizens must know and understand their power to determine what leaders do and hold them to account for the common wealth entrusted in their hands to govern.
He noted that gone are the days when a leader will blatantly squander resources and nobody can mention it for fear of being a target of high-level vindictiveness.
“Nigeria has moved from where it used to be, but today at the end of the MDGs, Nigeria can only boast of meeting maybe 2 or 3 of the targets! The rest are not met. What happened? He asked.
On the essence of the programme, the Campaign Advisor of Save the Children, Hope Udoma said that we are here to light up and amplify our voices to the rectification and implementation of the new global goals.
Thankfully there have been no such major natural disasters as earthquakes or landslides and the like in the country, but that has not prevented a proactive measure to monitor such occurrences. That informed the inauguration of a seismology ical station built at the Ebonyi State University (EBSU) Abakaliki to mitigate seismic hazards.
The station is part of a network of such stations being established across the country to properly monitor tremors in the country.
•The station where natural disasters are monitored
Inaugurating the station, the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Science and Technology, Mrs. Winifred Oyo-Ita said the establishment of the station followed persistent reports of earth tremors and landslide in different parts of the country.
“This made the Ministry to articulate a joint proposal with NEMA to carry out detailed seismological studies along Ifewara-Zungeru fault lines for establishment of seismological stations that would serve as Early Warning System”, she said.
Represented by Mr Peter Ekweozor, Director, Environmental Sciences and Technology in the ministry, Oyo-Ita said the project would enable the country to effectively monitor landslides and earth tremor activities.
According to her, the seismological stations in both Minna and Abakaliki would help the country to mainstream Disaster Risk Reduction strategy into National planning.
‘’The stations would also enable Nigeria to key into the global network of nations that adopted the Hyogo Framework for action (HFA) 2005 – 2015.
‘’However, for effective national coverage and monitoring of landslides and earth tremor activities in the country, the two new seismological stations must be networked with the existing seismological stations for real-time online data acquisition.
‘’I have been informed by the technical committee that the existing seismological stations required technological upgrading and refurbishment to attain the requisite efficiency,’’ she said.
Oyo-Ita called for urgent funds for the upgrading of the stations.
She also enjoined all government and non-governmental institutions including the Ebonyi State University to step up linkages and collaborations that would advance the frontiers for Nigeria’s socio-economic development.
She added that the proposal was approved by the Federal Government in 2010 while the process of the establishment began in 2010.
She said: ‘’The necessary infrastructural facilities such as the Earth Observation and Communication Satellites launched by the Ministry would enable the efficient and effective functioning of the seismological station being inaugurated today to acquire data real-time on-line.”
Oyo-Ita maintained that the station will offer the students and lecturers the opportunity to leverage on the advances in Information Technology (IT) to deepen their knowledge on Geodesy and Geodynamics for better management of eco-climatic events in the state and the country.
The Permanent Secretary urged the host community to ensure adequate security of the facility and create conducive environment for the optimal performance to maximize their gains on environmental sustainability.
Director General of National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA), Mallam Sani Sidi said the station is the second to be commissioned this year following the commissioning of FUT Minna station in May.
He described the inauguration of the seismological station in Abakaliki as a right step towards improving geo-hazard early warning system in the country.
‘’Nigeria like any other country is faced with both natural and human induced disasters including those related to geo-hazards”.
‘’The impact of these hazards on lives, property and the environment depends to a large extent on the country’s level of preparedness on efficient early warning and early action,’’ he said.
Sidi noted that the stations would boost the nation’s capabilities on geo-hazard monitoring, early warning and early action to further improve our national resilience.
He urged the host community and indeed Nigerians to ensure the proper maintenance of the station to enable the nation get a good value for the huge investment by the Federal Government.
‘’I wish to use this opportunity to thank the Federal Government for approving this land mark project which puts Nigeria and indeed the West Africa Sub-region on a stronger resilience to geo-hazards.
‘’The goal of this project is to improve data availability and research by students and researchers in the two great institutions in the area of geo-hazard monitoring,’’ he explained.
“It is therefore my hope that these stations will boost our nation’s capabilities on geo hazard monitoring, early warning, early action and further improve our national resilience”, Mr Sidi added.
Prof. Seidu Mohammed, Director-General, National Space Research and Development Agency (NASRDA) said that the inauguration of the station in Abakaliki was a realisation of part of the vision of the Federal Government to mitigate the impacts of earthquakes through research, monitoring and modeling using data from the network.
“One of the numerous benefits of locating this station in this region is to assist in continuous monitoring of any slightest ground vibrations that may result from natural or man-made causes in future.
“Or cumulative seismic activities that may result into a big earthquake, while at the same time contribute to the integrated seismic hazard monitoring in Nigeria and environs,” he said.
EBSU Vice Chancellor, Prof Francis Idike expressed hope that with commissioning of the station, incidents of earth tremors, landslides, flooding, gulling and other environmental hazards will be monitored effectively.
The station, he noted, will also be of immense benefit to the university and the community as the data generated will be readily avilable for teaching and research.
“The station will be of immense benefit to the university and the community as the data generated from the station will be readily available for teaching and research.
“I wish to assure the Federal ministry of science and technology that the university will do everything possible to ensure that the station functions as it is supposed,” he said.
The Abakaliki and Minna stations were designed to stream data in real-time and would be integrated into the existing network of seismic stations in Nigeria.
A renowned surgeon at University of Nigeria Teaching Hospital (UNTH), Ituku-Ozallla, Enugu State Prof. Arthur Ikeme has said that unless health sector funding improves, the Millennium Development Goals will never be achieved.
Speaking after receiving the 2015 Gold Merit Award of the Rotary Club of Enugu, Prof. Ikeme of the Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology observed that due to poor funding, managers of most government hospitals in the country lack modern facilities and do not run the hospitals effectively.
He stated that apart from inadequate medical equipment, hospital administrators have no funds to meet their financial obligations to staff and medical personnel, giving rise to incessant industrial actions by labour unions.
He said, “Nigerians will save the huge foreign exchange they spend travelling abroad to access care if our health institutions are properly equipped and the medical personnel well motivated with improved incentives”.
The medical practitioner, who is also a senior lecturer at the College of Medicine, University of Nigeria, Enugu Campus (UNEC), also identified multiple taxation and hostile economic environment as some of the factors stifling private sector investment in the sector.
He called on government to waive import duties on the importation of key medical equipment needed in hospitals.
Famous economist, Prof. Ukwu I. Ukwu, chairman of the medical and Dental Council of Nigeria Prof. Jonathan Azubuike, Dr. Izuchukwu Okam of UNTH, former club presidents, chief Vincent Odo, Mr. Peter Umeano, Lady Clair Asogwa, current president, Mr. Daniel Ukwu and former chairman of Awgu Local government area in Enugu state, chief. Uche Cyril Anioke were among dignitaries who attended the event.
Also present at the occasion were the former provost, College of Medicine, Enugu State University of Science and Technology, ESUT, Prof. Nene Obianyo, Chief Medical Director of St. Mary’s Hospital Enugu, Dr. Dan Ajawara, secondary school students, former president Rotary club of New Haven, Dr. Eddy Ndibuagu, as well as members of the Prof. Arthur Ikeme’s family from Oraukwu, Idemili North Local Government Area of Anambra State.
Enugu State is gradually shedding its civil service status and becoming a business-friendly environment, thanks in part to the upgrade of the Akanu Ibiam Airport to an international status.
An estate developing firm has mapped out a stretch of land where the East Gate Enugu Airport City will be built just beside the airport.
Add that to the National Association of Government Approved Freight Forwarders (NAGAFF) saying it will develop a cargo village by the airport too.
The National President of NAGAFF, Dr. Eugene Nweke has visited Enugu for an on-the-spot inspection and assessment of the site.
He was taken round the project by the Representative of the Corporation, Mr. Daniel Kalu, the NAGAFF Enugu State Chapter chairman, Comrade Sunny Okonkwo and the Project Legal Consultant who is also the Secretary of NAGAFF Enugu Chapter Mr Chinedum Agwaramgbo.
According to the NAGAFF President, the proposed NAGAFF Cargo Village is to be fashioned after a similar one in Malaysia, and to get a clearer picture of the Malaysia model a delegation comprising officials of NAGAFF, representatives of the Enugu State Government, and of the investor, NECI Land Development Corporation Limited as well as other 27 business venture companies including the banks would visit the Asian country in October.
Nweke intimated that NAGAFF seems to be enjoying the goodwill and trust of all stakeholders involved in the Project and all hands will soon be on the deck to make the project a reality.
Nweke added that the cargo village when completed would boost and further simplify the process of cargo clearing in the country and help in removing the congestion at the Lagos ports and entry points as importers, exporters and freight forwarders will be happy to divert their cargoes to the Akanu Ibiam International Airport.
The proposed cargo village is part of bigger project which has the potentials of creating a wide range of business opportunities in Enugu State and the entire South East geo0political zone.
It would encompass the establishment of key investment component such as air cargo terminal logistics hub, high industrial zone, duty-free and export zone and commercial and residential real estate.
The Enugu State government has indicated interest in the project. The governor, Ifeanyi Uguwanyi recently visited the site of the proposed East-Gate Enugu Airport City Development project where he expressed delight in the proposals.
Enugu State Governor Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi has sworn in four new members of the State Security Council, urging them to address without delay the resurgence of violent crime in the state.
The new members of the council include: Col. Osa Omoregbe, the Garrison Commander, 82 Division Nigerian Army, Air Commodore Emmanuel Festus Golit, the Commander 337 Base Services Group, Nigerian Air Force, Enugu, Mr. Abdul Malik, the Director of Security, State Security Services, Enugu and Mr. Lar Stephen Zwali, the State Commander, Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps, Enugu.
Uunderscoring the need to beef up security in the state, the governor noted that recent media reports of violent crimes being on the increase in the state.
He said, “I, however, hasten to say that much as the state’s rating in the area of security remains enviably and comparatively high, I am certain that from recent media reports you would have observed that the incidences of such violent crimes as kidnapping, ritual killings, cultism and armed robbery has been on the increase in both the rural and urban areas of the state.”
The governor said that he summoned the council meeting for the discussion on the undesirable development with a view to coming up with a plan of action and identify the necessary measures that would help address the situation promptly, effectively and satisfactorily.
The governor assured the security agents of the state government commitment to provide the assistance and support that may be required in discharging their duties successfully.
Ugwuanyi commended the Nigerian Armed Forces for the successes they have continued to record in their determined efforts to end the insurgency in the North Eastern part of the country and generally making Nigeria a safe place for all to live.
The Medical Women Association of Nigeria (MWAN), Ebonyi State, has renovated a block of classrooms at Ndiebo Community Primary School, Abakaliki, the state capital.
It also sank a borehole in the school and built an assembly ground podium in addition to a toilet.
The association equally planted trees and flowers to beautify the school.
At the flag-off of the facilities, president of the association Dr Thecla said the focus of her administration is improving the health of schoolchildren through services, education and information, and promoting a healthy environment.
•The team testing the water project
“The association has visited several schools in Abakaliki, both public and private schools, delivering health talks and demonstrations on topical issues such as hand washing to prevent diseases (accompanied with donation of customised tap buckets) oral hygiene to prevent dental caries (with distribution of toothbrushes and tooth pastes to children) sickle cell anaemia, debilitating but largely preventable disease; malaria and its prevention, to mention but a few”.
“In the bid to promote a healthy environment, the association planted over fifty ornamental trees at Nkaliki Nnuhu Primary School, Abakaliki to beautify the school compound. We wanted to do much more in the school but met some community challenges”.
“This led to our further search for a school where we could showcase our idea of a health promoting school”.
“Search criteria included a public school, located in a rural or suburban area without water and toilet facilities, and with a significant population of children (of the poor)”.
“Our unbiased search led to Ndiebo Ishieke Community Primary School and here we are today. We came and saw that this school has no source of water, no toilet facility and the central classroom was extremely dilapidated with holes in the weak walls, and torn roof”.
“The school environment looked bare and harsh, not child-friendly. I must really recognise the effort of the government through SUBEB, in fencing the school compound, which was of immeasurable importance, and putting up a classroom block”.
•The renovated classroom block
Dr Ezeonu said when MWAN came to Ndiebo Ishieke Community Primary School, “we saw and conquered. Today, this school has a newly built functional standard water borehole, a six-room toilet facility, a renovated classroom block, a podium for morning assemblies, and a compound decorated with ornamental and fruit trees.”
All these have been put up by the Medical Women’s Association of Nigeria, Ebonyi State chapter, by the help and grace of God, and with the help of our supporters and advisers”.
She said part of the challenges faced by the association was when it was duped by fraudsters.
She said: “we give God all the glory because it was no easy task. I must make it known to all that in the course of the project we got into the hands of fraudsters, by the name Water and Horticulture Development said to be managed by Community Borehole Development assistance Program and Nigerian Houses and Environment Sanitisation and Protection programme led by one Dominic Essien”.
“They flounted fake papers and dossiers, and claimed to be affiliated to the ministry of works. They took our money and abandoned
the project. However, we are more than conquerors, through christ. We picked up broken bones and set to work again and we were able to put in place what you see today, within our limited resources”.
Commissioning the project, National President of the Association, Dr Mrs Akwa Owoh commended MWAN for embarking on the project.
She said MWAN Ebonyi state chapter is one of the most vibrant chapters of the association.
Principal of the school, Mrs Gladys Akaeme appreciation of the students and PTA for the projects.
“What you have done will not only promotee a favourable teaching and learning environment but will go a long way to prevent the spread of communicable diseases on my teachers and pupils as result of poor management and disposal of human waste and will also save the lives of our pupils who cross the dangerous road near the school compound in search of clean water to drink”.
The elated pupils of the schools danced and. sang the praises of the association.
The Parents Teachers Association (PTA) also presented gifts to the association in appreciation for the gesture.
Travelling to Igbokenyi is quite an ordeal. From Onitsha, Anambra State, you board a boat to Illah in Delta State, from where you trek to the neglected Igala-speaking, rustic community. But NWANOSIKE ONU reports that things may have started to change
Their only road to the outside world is a narrow path, flooded in the rainy season and overgrown in the hot period. On it, residents of Igbokenyi in Anambra West Local Government Area of the state march to Illah in Delta State where they board a boat on the bank of River Niger. At the end of their trip outside, they march back on the same path to their rustic community of perhaps over 100,000 people.
Their resilience is as remarkable as their peculiarities. They speak Igala language of Kogi State, with whom they have a boundary. But they are in Anambra, though quartered on the Delta end of the Niger, and speak smattering Igbo.
There is a primary school in Igbokenyi but there is hardly anything else bearing a modern mark, except perhaps the clothes the people wear. No paved road. No secondary school. No hospital. And no fond memories from any government of any stripe.
Their mud shelters are hardly better than what their forebears bequeathed to them. It is rare to see any fair-skinned person, the reason for which is hard to see.
The people know what suffering is like. The only thing they say they do not know is why they are where they are, and why no one seems to care whether they live or die.
They have no pipe-borne water, and perhaps count themselves lucky to, at least, have the great Niger to draw from and wash in.
The visitor to Igbokenyi gets to Illah first, by boat from Onitsha, Anambra State, or Asaba, Delta State. From Illah, you walk, as the residents do, on that bush path, to Igbokenyi. It is not the pleasant of journeys, but that is the lot of the residents, and the visitor must also put up with it.
The people are in agony. All they have is mud houses like in the ancient times.
The only source of making ends meet in the area is farming.
Even their farm products are always difficult to transport outside the area because of lack of transportation means, except through the River to the cities.
But during one of his tours to some churches round the state months back, a philanthropist in the state from Umuchu community, Mr. Godwin Ezeemo, who wept seeing such backwardness, told the Anglican Church in the area that he would provide boats to ease their transportation problems.
The Nation realised that a prospective visitor to the forgotten community would move to Illah in Delta from Onitsha in Anambra state, before embarking on another stressful boat journey to Igbokenyi.
•A donated boat being blessed by the Anglican Church members
The 150 high-capacity engine boats worth one million naira donated to St. Mary’s Anglican Church in Mbamili Diocese by Ezeemo, had given hope to the hopeless.
One of the inhabitants in the area, Mrs. Rose Oguno, told The Nation that Anambra government past and present does not know that Igbokenyi exists.
She said, “We have plenty and assorted foods here, but there is no means of transporting them to anywhere; this can best describe the situation we have found ourselves in this area”
Also, for Prince Igene Osaji, the community is an abandoned one and according to him, they had taken their fate in their own hands adding “we did not create ourselves; neither did we put ourselves in Anambra State”
Osaji said, “The people in this community need help, we are suffering, it is a kind of one eating one’s flesh, we are in pain because nobody cares for us”
•Pamela standing in front of a typical Igbokenyi building
“At least these boats will not only be used by the church, the people of the community will equally benefit because we live for one another in this area and do things in common”
Fidelia Atu, who is one of the big farmers in the place, told the Nation that what they were doing in Igbokenyi was suffering and smiling.
“As a result, we have decided to keep to ourselves because there is no amount of cry that will make the government of Anambra state visit us here, we believe that the government sees us as people without future and hope”
“But they are not God, we are still living and multiplying and we believe God that one day, we are going to meet a savior in this area like this man who has donated the 150 boats to the church”
“If we have people like him who visit this place, then we will have the feeling that we belong to the society, we thank Ezeemo for his benevolence and only God can reward him,” Atu said.
Though, he did not go to the community again to deliver the 150 boats, but when the Nation contacted Ezeemo on phone, he said he was touched on the level of neglect suffered by the people of Igbokenyi over the years.
He told The Nation that he visited the community in March, 2015 and was amazed by poor transportation system experienced by the people and wondered if government had not been informed about their plight.
According to Ezeemo, “we have to travel through Ellah in Delta state to come to this place and half way drive, we trekked and entered a boat with our hearts struck to our mouth”
“It is unbelievable that such a place still exist in the state ,the development going on in the state should be extended to this area, what is governance if the people at the grass roots cannot feel it, or abandoned and neglected from their normal ancient experience to modernity”
Ezeemo, further said that poor transportation system experienced by the community, no doubt, had hindered their efforts in show casing their various agricultural endowment.
He therefore, called on the state government and other wealthy individuals in Anambra state to join hands in giving lasting meaning to the existence of the people of the community through provision of essential amenities.
While receiving the boats, the Anglican Bishop of Mbamili Diocese, Most Rev Henry Okeke, accompanied by his wife Julie and other priests, said that the boats were fulfillment of a promise by Ezeemo.
He said that the donor had become a willing instrument used by God to bring succor not only to the church, but to humanity.
Okeke, urged God to continue to shower His blessings and protection on Ezeemo’s family, adding that he had alleviated the sufferings being encountered by the church in Igbokenyi community and its people.
Speaking with the Nation, the parish priest of St. Mary’s Anglican Church, Igbokenyi, Rev Victor Ogbalu, said not only the church but the entire community were in a frenzing over the donation.
He said Ezeemo had given the people hope that their end had not come, describing this as a great gift to the church and humanity.
Leadership comes with enormous challenges, so leaders should be prepared to cope with its challenges.
This was the thinking of the founder of the Nneoma Leadership and Citizenship Forum and wife of the Imo State Governor, Nneoma Rochas Okorocha that led to a one-day seminar for Senior Prefects in both public and private schools across the state, with the theme, “tomorrow’s leaders”.
The event which was held at the Imo International Convention Center (IICC), was an interactive section between the young student leaders and selected resource persons, who drilled them on the essence of leadership and what it entails to be a good leader.
To the organisers, the young students as tomorrow’s leaders need to develop the right attitude towards leadership through such training which will give them the platform to ask questions and get answers concerning the rudiments of leadership positions.
For the brightly dressed school prefects, the impact of the seminar was spontaneous and electric. Some of them could not contain the joy and ecstasy of coming face to face with some distinguished Nigerians from both the public and private sector, including the state Governor, who accorded them great honour as leaders in the making.
Delivering a paper titled, “building tomorrow’s leaders”, the wife of the Governor, stated that, “I believe strongly in the need to inculcate good leadership skills in our youths who of course will become leaders of tomorrow. Our future, the future of our nation is in their hands. A cursory look at our society today and you will agree with me that something needs to be done.
“We have as a nation lost our way, the country has all the natural resources that God has endowed us with and we should be amongst, if not the greatest country on earth but we are not. The reason we are not where we are supposed to be as a nation is because of leadership failure. We need strong, competent leaders. As our generation appears to have failed in this regard, it is important that we build tomorrow’s leaders today. I believe that leaders are made and not born. To be a great leader, one has to exhibit certain qualities. These qualities can be learnt at home, in schools or in a forum like this. I believe in catching them young. You are all potential leaders.
We want to build future leaders who have the right moral values and ethical principal. Every child has a peculiar talent imbued in him by God which could be made useful through self discovery.”
She challenged the students to strive to be the best in their academic pursuits, stressing that as tomorrow’s leaders; the society is waiting for them.
The facilitator also pointed out to the students that there was a reason why they had been appointed senior prefects in their various schools, urging them to imbibe the ethical principles and values that would be instilled into them during the programme.
She maintained that the main objective of the leadership and citizenship forum was to nurture and inspire young people as future leaders and instill moral and ethical values in them.
The resource persons drawn from both national and international organizations tutored the students on such topics as “Developing a Leadership Mindset for Excellence”, delivered by Linus Okorie, “Becoming a Model Citizen”, by Muyiwa Afolabi and “The Magnitude of Attitude: Being the Best”, by Ubong Essien.
In his paper Okorie, a leadership analyst, noted that leadership starts from the mind through a process he called “KASH” Knowledge, Attitude, Skills, Habit.
He maintained that great leaders must possess a vast repertoire of knowledge through reading, developing the right attitude, acquiring marketable skills and good habits.
Others harped on selflessness, integrity, dedication and discipline and personal sacrifices as prerequisites for attaining great heights in life.
The governor urged the students not to allow the obstacles of life deprive them from attaining greatness. He also urged them to avoid self-doubt and be passionate in the pursuit of their career.
Okorocha who spoke on the topic, “Starting”, noted that Governor Okorocha the greatest challenge facing any prospective entrepreneur or leader is “starting the project which he has envisioned”.
He stressed that as future leaders, they should avoid negative peer pressure as it impedes progress in life.
The Imo governor further harped on the need for students to discover themselves early in life and have passionate desire to accomplish their ambition, adding that God always helps those who have determination and focus to succeed.
Some of the students who expressed gratitude to the organisers, said that they have been prepared to take up their roles as leaders in their respective schools, while they evolve into the leaders the nation is waiting for.
A civil society group, the Centre for Constitutional Governance (CCG) has blamed the frosty relationship between lawmakers and their constituents for the former’s failed reelection bids.
The group observed that lack of constituency offices resulting from this poor relationship, explained why many lawmakers failed to win their reelection bid.
Speaking at a press conference in Owerri, the Imo State capital, the Executive Director of CCG, Dr. Adewale Balogun, flayed the gap in the relationship between the legislators and their constituents, pointing out that such vacuum portends ill for the electoral system.
He said, “If the legislators used their constituency office effectively and built a cordial relationship with their constituents, it would have improved the chance of their being returned to the House”.
Balogun said that a CCG’s survey on Imo State Constituency Offices, indicated that “only a small percentage of Imo citizens visit or know where the constituency offices of their representatives in the state House of Assembly are, while many others also indicated that they never see their elected representatives, and that when they do, it is invariably just prior to elections.”
The CCG boss acknowledged the good work done by a few elected representatives who, he said put in much effort to demonstrate real concern for their constituents even in absence of well-designed and thought out guidelines related to what is expected of them when they are engaged in constituency work.
He stated that for any government to qualify as been democratic, it must be all inclusive and participatory, close and accessible to the people, satisfy their needs and aspiration, promote equality and social justice, and ensure the security of lives and property.
Dr. Balogun advised individual representatives to maintain close contact with their electoral areas through their constituency offices, consult the people on their needs and present them to House of Assembly for consideration and report back to their electorate the decision taken by the House and actions that would be taken to develop their area as a whole.
Also speaking, the Programme Officer, Mrs. Juliana Iregbu-Ihejirika said that legislators should facilitate the flow of information and services back to the constituency to make government more real and accessible.
She noted that legislators collect millions of naira as constituency allowance, adding that the fund was never used for what it was approved for, which is to build an office that would serve as a private and local workspace for the representative and also as an incubator for new projects and initiative.
Ebonyi State and the Federal Government have teamed up to tackle erosion, perhaps the worst environmental threat in the region.
The collaboration is considered a strong step forward by the Dave Umahi administration because erosion ravages most parts of the state, especially Afikpo North, Afikpo South and Ohaozara local government areas.
Recently, a joint ecological survey was undertaken to ascertain the level of the problem with a view to tackling it. This is reflective of the need for the federal government to immediately intervene, so as to avert further destruction of private and government properties and loss of life resulting from the negative impact of this natural disaster.
The devastation caused by gully erosion in the council areas were made explicit as officials from the Presidency, Ecological Fund Office alongside state officials took a tour of affected locations in the state.
This ecological challenge affected roads, bridges and houses among others in the areas visited.
•One of the erosion visited
The areas include Ogwuma Edda, Mgborokum Road in Ekoli Edda, Omanwu Ezieku Road in Ekoli Edda, Isiofu, Ekoli Okagwe Road, Achiogba Waterfall in Ekoli Edda, Libolo Erei Road, Old Council Secretariat in Nguzu Edda among others in Afikpo South Local Government Area.
Also, in Afikpo North LGA, the team saw the impact of gully erosion at Amangbala, Eke Market Road opposite Zenith and Eco Bank, Amasiri, among others.
Speaking with The Nation, the Caretaker Committee Chairman, Afikpo South Local Government Area, Mr. Eni Uduma Chima who appreciated the effort of the present administration toward involving the Presidency in the eradication of gully erosion in the state, revealed that 15 sites in Afikpo South were identified by the Ecological Fund Office, Abuja.
The council boss who explained that the biggest site of gully erosion was the former location of the council headquarters added that the natural disaster had forced people in the area to relocate to erosion-free zones within the council area.
“We have 15 gully erosion sites and the biggest was the former location of Afikpo South council headquarters. This natural disaster forced the council headquarters with six other buildings to be relocated to a new site. Governor Dave Umahi has been active and responsive to the need of the people of the state and that was what led to the arrival of those from the Presidency to handle issues of gully erosion in the LGAs.
“Six roads leading within and outside the Council area are in a bad condition following the impact of gully erosion as the state government had made serious effort to ensure that it is tackled without delay. We sent photos and video clip of the devastating impact of gully erosion in the council area and today officials from the Presidency are here to carry out an on the spot assessment, so as to provide lasting solution to the problem”.
Mr Eni lauded the efforts of the state government for getting the federal government involved.
“This shows that the governor really loves the people of Afikpo and cares about their welfare. We have no doubt that the partnership between the state government led by Engr. Dave Umahi and the FG led by President Buhari will lead to the control of this erosion scourge”
His counterpart, Caretaker Committee Chairman of Afikpo North LGA. Mr. Oko-Enyim stressed that all hands must be on deck to tackled incidences of gully erosion throughout the state.
He commended both the state and federal government for the timely intervention adding that his council area was going through the challenge of gully erosion for quite a long time.
