Governor Okezie Ikpeazu has assured the people of Ukwa West LGA that government will soon announce the appointment of an Ukwa West indigene as the substantive Chairman of the Abia State Oil Producing Areas Development Commission (ASOPADEC).
The Governor gave this assurance when he played host to a delegation of leaders of Ukwa West LGA who paid him a solidarity visit at the Governor’s Lodge Aba, Chief Press Secretary to the Governor, Onyebuchi Ememanka said in a statement on Wednesday.
According to the release, Governor Ikpeazu told the delegation that the delay in making the appointment was due to the need to ensure that all issues around the matter were properly addressed before the announcement.
He stated that Asa sons and daughters must understand that only one of them could be appointed Chairman of ASOPADEC at the same time and tasked them to rally round whoever is eventually appointed.
The release added, “Governor Ikpeazu informed them that the 30 Million Naira he promised them for the Asa Electricity Project will be made available to them immediately after the meeting through bank transfer and challenged them to ensure that the project is delivered before the end of September ensuring that the people of Ukwa West LGA have their own dedicated source of electricity.
“He also announced that funds have been released to the contractor handling the Uratta – Umuekechi – Ugwati Road. The Governor told them that having completed the first phase of the project which covered Uratta to Umuekechi, the second phase of the project from Umuekechi to Ugwati will commence from Monday and work won’t stop till its completion. He tasked the people of the area to own the project and cooperate with the contractor.
“On the Enyimba Economic City Project, the Governor informed them that it remains the most audacious economic development project in the entire South East of Nigeria with the Afrexim Bank committing to a total investment of 150 Million Dollars in the project while the Federal Government has handed the management of its 20% equity holding in the project to the Sovereign Wealth Fund. The Governor disclosed that another crucial meeting on the project will hold in Barbados shortly and that an indigene of Ukwa West will accompany him to the meeting.
“Governor Okezie Ikpeazu told the leaders and people of Ukwa West to remain steadfast in their support for the PDP and vote for the party at all levels in the 2023 elections.
“Leader of the delegation, Sir Don Ubani told the Governor that the people of Ukwa West LGA are fully behind the PDP in the 2023 elections. He thanked the Governor especially for the release of the funds for the Asa Electricity Project and assured the Governor that funds will be judiciously deployed towards the expeditious completion of the project.
“He informed the Governor that the people of Asa have adopted him as their sole candidate for the Senate in 2023 and a motion for that was moved by the Member representing Ukwa West State Constituency at the State Assembly, Hon. Goddy Adiele.
“Executive Chairman of Ukwa West LGA, Chief Okey Kanu, and other eminent sons of Asa land including Mr. Sam Nwogu, Rt. Hon Chinedum Elechi, Pastor Ralph Egbu, Hon. Tony Mezie Nwaubani, Barrister Henry Chilaka and others were part of the delegation.”
