Mayor of Umuahia North Local Government Area, Hon. High Chief Victor Ikeji has said that his government is working towards making the Council to be less dependent on the Joint Account Allocation Committee (JAAC) revenue, adding that he hopes to revive the agriculture sector.
He promised to support the Online Media Practitioners Association of Nigeria (OMPAN) Abia State, as well as build patnership because the government needs the media to optimize its functions.
Ikeji who made this disclosure when select members of Online Media Practitioners Association of Nigeria (OMPAN) Abia State paid him a courtesy visit in his office in Umuahia North Council Headquarters, explained that under his watch, the Council would get to a point where it would no longer depend on Federal or State Governments to function effectively but will be generating funds from the agriculture sector.
Continuing, he revealed that he has international partners who are very willing to synergize with the Council to achieve the vision, adding that plans were on the way to grade Uloma Farm Settlement to make it very accessible.
High Chief Ikeji said on his assumption of office as the Mayor, he was conscious of the past image of the State, hence determined to change the narratives of governance by embarking on many transformative projects.
Ikeji described himself as media friendly personality, and assured that his administration would continue to partner and engage the media in the area of information and communication.
He mentioned some of his achievements since his assuming office to include, restoration of electricity and water in the Council, grading and refilling of about 27 roads in the hinterland of Umuahia North using about 200 trips of laterite; desilting of drainages and evacuation of over 200 trucks of mud; training of about 36 Youths on ICT and artificial intelligence, reviving of agriculture sector and relocation of illegal motor parks to places that will be conducive for them.
Other projects include installation of street lights at Okigwe park, building of Public convenience for those in Okigwe park area and the flag off of 120 Youths skill acquisition program for both indigenes and residents of Umuahia North. He said they will be provided with start up kits and grants after training.
According to him,” I intend to carry out a complete renovation of the entire Umuahia North and I am already designing it. The Council is going to witness a tremendous transformation. I can assure you that there will be tremendous improvement under my watch.
” We are getting enough funds to do projects and enough cooperation from the Governor.
“The Governor has even challenged us to bring mega projects to embark on for the Governor to fund them.
” The Governor does not owe salaries, any Civil Servant that says he is not receiving salaries is lying” he said.
Earlier, the Chairman of OMPAN and leader of the delegation, Chief Promise Uzoma Okoro said they were in the Council to interface with the Mayor on the area of information and communication, while he expressed appreciation to the Mayor for welcoming the Abia bloggers.
