The Mayor of Umuahia North Local Government Area, Hon. Victor Ikeji has disclosed that his administration was working hard to push the Council to be none dependent on Joint Account Allocation Committee (JAAC), through reviving the agriculture sector.
Ikeji who made this disclosure when selected members of 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 the Federal or State Governments to function effectively but will be generating funds from the agriculture sector.
He disclosed that there were international partners who were very willing to synergize with the Council to achieve his vision. He 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, hence determined to change the narratives of governance by embarking on many transformative projects.
Ikeji, who described himself as a media friendly person, assured that his administration would continue to partner and engage the media in the area of information and communication.
He mentioned some of his achievements since 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 agriculture sector, relocation of transport parks to places that will be conducive for them, installation of street lights in Okigwe park, building of Public convenience for those in Okigwe park area, flagging off of 120 Youths skill acquisition program for both indigenes and residents of Umuahia North, which he promised would be empowered after the training, especially those who 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.” Now that he has to depend on revenue from the other two tiers of government what gives him the confidence that he would be able to carry out the transformation ahead of a fully developed self-financing tier of government? His response: “We are getting enough funds to do projects and enough cooperation from the Governor.”