The Enugu State Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) candidate for Oji River Local Government Area in the September 21st Council election, Greg Anyaegbudike, has assured to stimulate industrialisation of Oji River Urban area to enhance socio-economic empowerment of the citizens and also contribute to raising the Gross Domestic Product (GDP) of the state.
Anyaegbudike gave assurance during the unveiling of his manifesto that the council area would be developed if voted into power. He bemoaned the fact that, from the records, Oji River town ranks as the third urban town in Enugu state, taking after Enugu metropolis and Nsukka town, although in real terms the “town is lagging economically amidst it’s great potential.”
The PDP candidate promised to reverse the ugly trend and set the town on track of development. Outlining his manifesto tagged: “IT IS ALL ABOUT OJI RIVER” at the Council headquarters on Tuesday, Anyaegbudike said his administration would partner with both the federal and state government, the Organised Private Sector, Development partners, and indigenous investors to explore the abundant potential in Oji River for its growth.
“Our vision is to make Oji River a business destination point. To facilitate economic growth by providing an enabling environment to enhance business opportunities. It is all about Oji River,” he said.
He promised to develop a master plan for development of Oji River, improve on the health and education sector by cuing into the already established programme of the state government meant to establish twenty smart schools and Type 2 hospitals across the twenty wards in the council area.
He assured that Oji River Council area under his watch would be the best producer of at least three arable crops in the state. He promised to reticulate the “Oji Wonderful Water” across the Urban town, explore the tourism and agricultural potentials in the communities as well as encouraging development of industrial layouts in various axis of the local government area.
Some of the stakeholders who spoke at the event, were optimistic that Greg Anyaegbudike will bring his wealth of experience and exposure to bear in developing Oji River Local Government Area.
The CEO/MD of Signature Television, Chief VinMartin Ilo, spoke in this direction; Dr Eric Oluedo, a former commissioner in Enugu state corroborated while Ernest Nweze, the Enugu State PDP Vice chairman (Enugu West district) assured that Anyaegbudike would live up to expectations, and called for vigorous campaigns to ensure his election victory.
NewsBits recalls that Anyaegbudike had worked as a development consultant for the World Bank on DFID projects in Nigeria, a former Managing Director of Enugu State Waste Management Agency (ESWAMA), Anyaegbudike earlier introduced Barr. Seth Nwokolo as his running mate.
The unveiling of the manifesto was witnessed by many PDP stakeholders in Oji River Local Government Area. Among them were the state commissioner for Culture and Tourism, Dame Ugochi Madueke, a former commissioner for youth and sports, Hon. Manfred Nzekwe, a former vice chairman of the council, Hon. Ephraim Offiah, the immediate past State secretary of the party, Hon. Innocent Akalusi.
Others included Hon. John Okefi, the Councillor representing Oji Urban Ward 4, Hon. Mrs Uche Onyefulu, Hon. Ejike Iloh, and others.
