Former Minister of Finance and Chairman of the Global Alliance for Vaccines and Immunisation (GAVI), Dr. Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala has urged the people of Isingwu Autonomous Community to endeavour to appreciate Abia State Governor, Dr. Okezie Ikpeazu for his role in ensuring the construction of the Umuda-Amato-Ossah Road.
Dr. Okonjo-Iweala stated this at her Umuda-Isingwu Country Home while receiving a delegation of Isingwu Eze-in-Council, Isingwu Welfare Union and all Associations in Isingwu, Ohuhu, Umuahia North LGA, Abia State who came to thank her for the role she played in attracting the road to the community.
She stated that she is aware of the controversy over who should take credit for the road and noted that it should not arise as if Governor Okezie Ikpeazu of Abia State had not paid the counterpart funding for the project, the World Bank would not have released their own portion of funding for the road. She asked the people to also thank the Governor for his part while thanking her, noting that more of such partnerships and collaboration is needed to bring development to the State.
Dr. Okonjo-Iweala disclosed that the road was one of the recurrent wishes of her late father in law and urged the Executives of Isingwu Welfare Union and Isingwu Community to take steps to get the road named after her father in law as a mark of honour for his love for the community.
She expressed delight at the honour done her by the Community in coming to pay her the thank you visit and urged the delegation to also thank her husband, Dr. Ikemba Iweala who always ensured they returned to the village every year wherever they were which fuelled her love for Isingwu Community.
Dr. Okonjo-Iweala promised to continue to do whatever she can to assist the community while urging them to continue to be peaceful and progressive for the development of the community.
-Written by Sam Hart
