For too long, the electorate have been short-changed by their leaders who renege on promises made to them during electioneering campaigns. The politicians would always cut the picture of honest people while canvassing votes from the electorate. However, when they are voted into power, they turn their backs on members of their constituencies. Any wonder they are described as people who do not think about the next generation but about the next election.
Concerned about the unsavoury phenomenon, the electorate have decided to hold their representatives accountable to them.
In the circumstances, therefore, youths of Ohaji/Egbema Oguta and Oru West Federal Constituency converged on Crystal Lake Resort, Oguta to inaugurate the Inspired Young Elite of Oguta (IYEO). The main objective the socio-political organisation is to ensure that their representatives make the welfare of members of their constituency a priority.
It will also enable the youth to have one-on-one dialogue with any Ohaji/Egbema, Oguta and Oru West political.
In his welcome speech, President IYEO, Mr Olisa Maduagwu stated that the forum was established in order to have dialogue with the Federal House of Representatives aspirant on the platform of the Action Alliance (AA), Hon Uju Kingsley Chima on issues related to community development. He also said it will help in charting a new path towards actualising the dream of having quality representation at the National Assembly and other elective positions come May, 2019.
Responding, Hon. Walter Uzonwanne who represented Chima explained that in 2011, Chima and others broke the chain that kept them down politically.
“When aspired to run for political positions, we didn’t have any godfather. The powers that be tried to suppress us but we did not succumb. Thus we managed to change the narrative of what seemed like the norm. I am happy that youths can now run for political positions without having to rely on a godfather,” he said.
Uzonwanne, who commended the youth for the initiative also encouraged them to always participate in the affairs of the state, constituency or local government.
On lack of electricity in Oguta community over the past six years, he stated that the problem would be resolved soon.
“Over N200 million was made available to the Enugu Electricity Distribution Company (EEDC) as part of payment toward restoring light to Oguta communities, even though the Imo State Oil-producing Areas Development Commission (ISOPADEC) has taken over the payment of electricity for the oil-producing communities in Imo State.
“Unfortunately, the N200 million was not properly utilised. Today, it is still under probed. That created a lot of bad blood. But we as political operators in this local government, I’m proud to say I belong to one of them. We have summited an all-time proposal that will help in ameliorating the light situation in Oguta.
“Oguta, as oil-producing area, need a dedicated sub-station and that is the only way we can have light. If Imo State is given 20 per cent light, we will get 20 per cent. We have completed the design. The route is from Ogbaku to Ejemekuru, from Ejemekuru to Izombe, from Izombe to Osu-Obodo, from Osu-Obodo to Nnebukwu.
“I am assuring you that good things take time to achieve. I appeal that you be patient. We are going to have permanent light supply in no distant time. I am not promising you today, but it must definitely come. The design is ready and it’s a technical thing,” he said.
On security which has raised serious concerns due to frequent outburst of miscreants in the community, Uzonwanne stated that to curb incessant disturbance from miscreants is to begin from the root cause of the problem.
He further said parents have huge role to play in the lives of their children as they are the children’s first teacher.
“Parents should give birth to the number of children they can train because when children are brought to the world without receiving proper training, most often than not such children may turn out to be miscreants in the society,” he said.
The forum’s Public Relations Officer, Mr Christian Okororie said: “We need to change our destiny; we need to change our perspective. Nobody is going to do it for us.
He also added that they should never sell their votes for any amount of money, even as he urged them to engage in asking questions without abusing leaders.
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