Governor Francis Ogbonna Nwifuru of Ebonyi State and Echiaba Development Centre Coordinator, Prince Friday Daniel Oketa.
By Victor Nwegede.
The Executive Governor of Ebonyi State, Rt. Hon. Francis Ogbonna Nwifuru on Friday commissioned a landmark rural electrification project in Okwuanyionu and Oterufe villages of Nkaleke Echara Unuhu and Nkaleke Achara Ndiebor autonomous communities, Echi-Aba Development Centre, Ebonyi Local Government Area.
Represented by the State Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Matters, Chief Stephen Uchenna Igwe, Governor Nwifuru described the project as a “new dawn” for the benefitting communities and reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to aggressive rural transformation.
The project, executed under the supervision of the Coordinator of Echi-Aba Development Centre, Hon. Prince Friday Daniel Oketa, consisted of two 300KVA transformers, over 155 concrete poles, and extensive high- and low-tension power lines to deliver reliable electricity to the rural communities for the first time since the creation of Ebonyi State in 1996.
Speaking at the ceremony, the governor praised Hon. Oketa for complementing government’s vision with grassroots initiatives, stressing that the Nwifuru administration is determined to expand electrification, infrastructure, and human capital development across rural communities.
Governor Nwifuru, through his representative, Chief Igwe assured that his administration would sustain its aggressive drive for rural development, expanding electricity access and providing other critical amenities to uplift the standard of living across Ebonyi State.
The event attracted top stakeholders including the Executive Chairman of Ebonyi Local Government Area, Prince Chinedu Augustine Uburu, Chief Mrs. Chinyere Nwogbaga - Member representing Ebonyi North East Constituency in the State House of Assembly and Chief Mrs Ann Aligwe, State Commissioner for Human Capital Development and Monitoring, alongside community leaders, elders, women, and youths who hailed the commissioning as a historic breakthrough.
In his remarks, Hon. Oketa expressed gratitude to the Governor for providing the enabling support, noting that the electrification project would change the fortunes of the people by powering small businesses, boosting education, improving healthcare delivery, and enhancing security.
He listed other projects already executed in the Development Centre including road grading, provision of boreholes, bursary support for undergraduates, distribution of school uniforms and books, hospital bill interventions, and assistance to indigent families.
“Our people are fully prepared to support His Excellency with the 4+4=8 mandate, so that the ongoing transformation can be consolidated,” Oketa declared to the cheers of the gathering.
The ceremony was marked with emotional scenes as elderly women from the beneficiary communities, Mrs. Oluchi Mbam and Mrs. Paulina Nkwuda, shed tears of joy and prayed for the Governor and his wife, Chief Mrs. Mary Maudaline Nwifuru, for what they described as a life-changing intervention after decades of neglect.
Also speaking, Prince Akputa Emeka, Head of Personnel Management of Echi-Aba Development Centre, described the project as “tasking but historic,” while Hon. Nwofoke Amaobi Gabriel, APC Chairman Echi-Aba Ward, said the commissioning has brought hope and excitement to the people, commending both the Governor and the Coordinator for their dedication to grassroots development.
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