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By Emma Njoku
Standard-bearer of the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) in next month’s local government election in the Ezinihitte Local Government Area (LGA), Mbaise, Imo State, High Chief Augnus Ugochukwu, has unveiled a roadmap that would usher a ‘new Ezinihitte’, if elected as the chairman of the area.
The Switzerland based businessman, popularly known as Akuruo-ulo (wealth brought home), noted that Ezinihitte has grappled with infrastructural challenges over the years and promised to tackle the challenge head-on, once he assumes the driver’s seat at the local government’s secretariat in Itu.
Akuruo-ulo made the vow in a chat with Daily Sun after obtaining the nomination and expression of interest forms, recently, at the state secretariat of the APGA in Owerri.
“Ezinihitte Mbaise LGA faces major infrastructural challenges, hence, I will tackle the vital task of ensuring that we improve community development by delivering recreational projects that will benefit the local communities, businesses, and the entire Mbaise nation. I will focus on developmental projects that will create the necessary infrastructure needed by my people. Projects like the construction of new roads, upgrading of dilapidated roads, building of new facilities and refurbishing existing ones as well as building factories to curb unemployment in Ezinihitte.
“Through proper consultation and regular town hall meetings with stakeholders, I will ensure that communities and businesses have the chance to influence the developmental process and help determine the projects that we need to prioritise.
“There is the need to involve communities from the outset to achieve the desired goals, hence, I will ensure that the community involved understands the proposals for the area and the particular project. I will also ensure that the people are provided with the opportunity to contribute their ideas as well as express their concerns about every project being executed.
“Without adequate basic infrastructure, communities cannot thrive. I will dedicate time and effort towards understanding the needs of my constituents, to ensure that various communities in Ezinihitte Mbaise LGA get the exact attention they desire during the allocation and distribution of democracy dividends accruing to them. By working in a collaborative and transparent way, we can regenerate and transform Ezinihitte, while at the same time, ensuring that all projects are tailored towards the exact needs of the respective communities”.
He promised to create employment opportunities for the youth, build/rehabilitate roads, rejig power and security, create better business environment and economy, and remodel the schools in Ezinihitte, to enhance functional and qualitative education. He further promised to be more accountable and fiscally disciplined with a view to rebuilding the area and impacting meaningfully on lives of the people.
He said: “I have a divine mandate to serve my people well and credibly, too. I want to assuage their economic and social challenges and build a better future for them. I will build factories in all facets of the locality, just as I built cold-room to ease the burden of women going to market early outside Ezinihitte Mbaise. I sponsored 11 people abroad who are doing well and helping their respective families and communities.
“I have also lifted my community by constructing boreholes, creating jobs for youths and attracting investors to Ezinihitte. I will be fair and accountable, and I will carry everybody along in the administrative activities of the council. I’m over qualified and capable to lead my people in that capacity. I’m honestly humane and trustworthy, chivalric, progressive and development-driven”.
On his chance in next month’s election, Chief Ugochukwu admitted it would be a battle against formidable opponents, but expressed confidence that he is the best man for the job.
“There is no gainsaying that Chief Augnus Ugochukwu is readily prepared for the battle ahead. Yes, it’s a battle because of the political gladiators involved in the election of who will become the next chairman of Ezinihitte Mbaise LGA. Chief Augnus Ugochukwu, an Ihitte-born high chief, and a distinguished industrial expert, is, however, equipped for the battle.
“I am not afraid of anybody in this election, because I have the youths, women, and the aggrieved people of Ezinihitte on my side; people who are so disappointed and dissatisfied with the type of representation they have got over the years. I am in the race to win. And the youths, being my backbone, won’t be disappointed,” he said.
Akuruo-ulo called on the people of Ezinihitte to eschew party affiliations and elect him as the next chairman of the local government, in order to enjoy the best dividends of democracy.
“This is no longer the time to vote according to party leanings. We must eschew party affiliations and elect the best man for the job in order to enjoy the best dividends of democracy. It shouldn’t be business as usual. I have the requisite track records and the capacity to deliver the best dividends of democracy to my people.
“I’m not coming to serve my personal interest. By the grace of God, I’ve finished training my children and they’re all doing well in their respective professions and careers. I’m well established both at home in Nigeria and abroad. I want to serve my people and make life better for them. I’m not one of the self-serving politicians. I’ve come to make a positive difference,” he added.
