The Mayor of Umuahia North Local Government Area, Hon. High Chief Victor Ikeji has disclosed that his government was working so hard to push the Council to be non-dependent on the Joint Account Allocation Committee (JAAC), through reviving the agriculture sector, and said he would support the Onljne Media Practitioners Association of Nigeria(OMPAN)as government needs the media to optimize its functions.
Ikeji who made this disclosure when selected members of the Online Media Practitioners Association of Nigeria (OMPAN) 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 they would not have to 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 were very willing to synergize with the Council to achieve his vision, and added 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 and, hence determined to change the narratives of governance by embarking on many transformative projects.
Ikeji described himself as media friendly person, and assured that his administration would continue to partner with 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 sand, desilting of drainages and evacuation of over 200 trucks of sand, training of about 36 Youths on ICT and artificial intelligence, reviving of the agriculture sector, relocation of transport parks to places that will be conducive for them, installation of street lights in Okigwe park, the building of Public convenience for those in Okigwe park area, flagged off 120 Youths skill acquisition program for both indigenes and residents of Umuahia North, which he promised empowered them after the training, especially those who would take the training seriously.
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 in the area of information and communication, while expressing appreciation for the audience giving to the members of the Union, despite the short notice.
