By Marvelous Ezenwa, Awka
The Mayor of Anaocha Local Government Area of Anambra State, Hon. Romanus Ibekwe, has recorded another significant milestone in his administration’s grassroots development drive following the visit of the management of the South East Development Commission (SEDC) to the council area.
The visit, which according to the council marked the first Local Government in the South-East visited by the Commission for community development and partnership, is being seen as a major boost to Anaocha’s growing development profile under Ibekwe. The Mayor said the engagement was particularly important because the SEDC’s mandate focuses on advancing development across the South-East and improving the welfare of residents, especially at the grassroots.
The SEDC delegation was led by its Executive Director, Natural Resources, Agriculture and Rural Development, Dr. Clifford Ogbede, who expressed satisfaction with what he saw during the visit and assured the council that any project eventually undertaken by the Commission in Anaocha would be completed within record time.
The engagement also provided an opportunity for community leaders to present their development priorities, with Presidents-General, women and youth leaders, councillors and other stakeholders appealing for projects capable of creating jobs and expanding economic opportunities across the communities.Ibekwe, while welcoming the delegation, thanked the Commission for choosing Anaocha and assured its officials of the council’s full cooperation and support.
He noted that the visit represented an opportunity to deepen partnerships that would translate into tangible projects for the people, adding that Anaocha would not take the opportunity for granted.
The latest development adds to the growing recognition of Ibekwe’s administration for its focus on practical grassroots interventions. His administration has also received recognition for its work in primary healthcare, while ongoing efforts in areas including water supply, community infrastructure, skills development and local economic empowerment have continued to attract attention.
Supporters and community stakeholders have consequently described Ibekwe as one of the outstanding Local Government Chairmen in Anambra State, with some extending the commendation to the national level.
The Mayor also acknowledged the role of the Federal Government in creating the platform for SEDC interventions and commended the Anambra State Government under Governor Prof. Chukwuma Charles Soludo for providing an enabling environment for Local Governments to pursue development initiatives.
With the emerging partnership between Anaocha and the SEDC, the council leadership says it is positioning the area to attract more interventions capable of improving livelihoods and opening new opportunities for its people.
