Chief Ugo Ferdinand Ukwueze,
Chairman, Igboeze-South Local Government Council in Enugu State says his administration was able to bring government and development to rural areas by re-grading rural bad roads that linked one community with another.
Ukwueze who is the Deputy Chairman, Association of Local Government of Nigeria (ALGON) in Enugu State said this on Thursday while briefing newsmen on his achievements since September 2024 he assumed office as council chairman.
Ukwueze’s administration redesigned and rebuilt the Igboeze-South Council Secretariat that made it now the centre of attraction and one of the best in the country.
He said one of his greatest challenges when he assumed office was bad roads in rural areas as many communities were disconnected from one another.
“My administration on assumption to of office immediately embarked on re-grading and widening of rural roads to ensure access as well as reconnect communties with one another.
“One of my greatest challenges when I assumed office was bad rural roads as many communities were disconnected and as such farmers find it difficult to bring farms produce to urban areas to sell.
“Providing access roads didn’t only reconnect communties with one another but also make it unsafe for criminals to operate on such roads again, “he said.
The chairman explained that, because of access to rural communities as well ias mproved security, people from different walks of life started patronizing our markets again especially the three major markets in the LG; Orie-Igboeze-south Market, Nkwo Igboeze-South market and Afo-Unadu Igboeze-South market.
The LG boss noted that his administration tackled the issue of security headlong that made it possible for residents to start sleeping with their two eyes closed.
” We achieved improved security by establishing community vigilante in every community equiping them and making them to understand that security is everybody’s business and should not be left for government and security agencies alone.
” Because of this synergy with communities in security, Igboeze-South LG forced both local and external criminals to relocate as there were too much heat on them and they were afraid they may be nabbed any moment.
“I usually tell people that in as much as security is the responsibility of any responsible government but everybody has something to contribute,” he said.
Ukwueze also disclosed that his administration has empowered many youths who are the future leaders by ensuring they aquired skills.
” 250 youths have been trained in different skills at Mario Institute of Hospitality and Business Nsukka owned by Nsukka Catholic Diocese, another set of youths were trained at St Mary’s Agro institute Udi, some beneficiaries of this Agro training are now working in Kwait and Saudi Arabia.
” Last year the council sponsored the training of 500 youths in AI training in which the Council
partnered with UNESCO and UNN, 150 out of this 500 were not Enugu North Senatorial District indigenes but youths from other LGs in Enugu State as well as other states in the country,”he said
According to Ukwueze in 2025 the council paid JAMB forms for all indigenes who wants to write the exam free of charge.
Also this year (2026) the council partnership with NGO owned by Her excellency Mrs Nkechi Mbah the wife of Gov Peter Mbah for the JAMB forms, the NGO paid for the girl-child.
Also My administration also partnered with GR Foundation that has offered WAEC form free of charge to students of the LG that cost over N80m
The LG boss commended the transformative leadership of Gov Peter Mbah in Enugu State which he said had been a source of inspiration and motivation for him as a council chairman.
“Gov Mbah Smart School in all political wards in the state, the Type 2 primary health centres among other numerous infrastructures have made Enugu State the envy of other states in the country,”he said.
He commended the governor’s wisdom and foresight in connecting Enugu State to the centre by defecting to All Progressive Congress (APC) in 2025 with the entire state, which had attracted many Federal Government presence now in Enugu State.
“Today Enugu State sits at the centre where high profile decisions are made and national cake shared.
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“Enugu State indigenes will forever remain grateful to Gov Mbah fór his wisdom and foresight in connecting Enugu State to the centre as the state will continue reap the democracy dividends, ” the LG boss added.