Assa community appeals for electricity, other social amenities from govt

Assa autonomous community in Ohaji- Egbema local government area of Imo state has called on relevant government agencies to come to their aid, to end electricity power outage and absence of other social amenities.

The call was made in Owerri, when the President-General of Assa autonomous community, Comrade Reward Evans led the executives of Assa Town Union on a courtesy visit to Ministry of Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, Imo State.

The delegation was received by the Commissioner in charge of the Ministry, Hon Mrs. Rubby Emele. Comrade Reward, appreciated the Commissioner for her leadership roles in the state, especially, as it affects local government and chieftaincy affairs , as well as her impact in the appointment and election of the Assa Town Union Executives. He extended his gratitude to Imo state governor, Senator Hope Uzodimma, who he described as peoples governor for his leadership prowess.

The President-General, revealed that the reason for the official visit was to draw the attention of the government and other relevant agencies to the welfare of the community.

He noted that Assa autonomous community has suffered underdevelopment due to lack of social amenities like, good roads , hospitals, Maternities, among others, despite the presence of multinational oil companies in the community.

He said: “Since the existence of the community, our people have never experienced electricity before coupled with calculated neglect from the oil companies operating in our area. Our pregnant women often die on the road before they are taken to Hospitals or Maternity in the State Capital because of absence of good hospitals in the community”.

He pleaded with the Commissioner to use her good offices to ensure that the dividend of democracy gets to his community

Adding his voice, the Secretary-General of Assa autonomous community and the former President of National Congress of Ohaji Youths (NACOY), Comrade Emmanuel C. Ugorji, complained to Mrs Emele, that Assa community has been lagging behind because of lack of synergy between the community and the government.

This, according to him, was the major factor affecting development in their community . He expressed optimism that the Commissioner through her office would intervene positively on their needs.

Comrade Ugorji , who is also the State Chairman of Niger Delta Youth Movement (NDYM) used the opportunity to canvass for a synergy between the State government and Assa autonomous community.

The Youth President of Assa autonomous community, Comrade Chidi Egezula, who congratulated the Commissioner on her leadership roles in the state, which have helped in attracting numerous awards from different bodies within and outside the state , pleaded with her to come to Assa community, so as to witness all that was said about the community .

The legal Adviser of the community, Barr Eric Nwanom , informed Mrs Emele that the essence of the official visit was to have synergy with her office and the state government.

According to the Umuoguta-born legal luminary, “we consciously ask for your partnership for the development of our dear community.”

Mrs. Violet N. Assor, the Woman Leader of Assa autonomous community. narrated the sufferings of the people of the community, particularly, the women folk, who are mostly affected by maternal deaths because of lack of good Hospitals and Maternities .According to Mrs Assor, “I feel very honoured to be part of this official visit, the Honourable Commissioner. I’m a native of Assa autonomous community, born, raised and married in same community. Our people have been highly marginalized, coupled with calculated neglect from the government and oil companies operating in our area, but with your kind attention, we solicit for quick government intervention as the community consciously leans on the 3R Government of the Governor of Imo State, Distinguished Senator Hope Uzodimma, to bring positive change in our community. We also appeal for the government to intervene in the plight of the people of Assa community.

The Vice President of the community, Comrade. Uzoma Dominic Onyenaju and the Public Relations Officer of the Community, Comrade Duke-Bright C. C. Enyia in their separate speeches, supported the views of the former speakers.

Responding, Mrs Emele congratulated the leadership of the community on their appointments. She thanked the governor for giving her the opportunity to affect lives in the community through her office. She assured that through her office , their needs will receive a favourable response .

According to Mrs. Emele, “Thank you for your remarks, I must thank the governor who has given me the opportunity to serve our dear state in this cadre, as well as make positive impacts. I will take your case to the governor on a serious note . But, I will advise you to respect your traditional ruler and work in synergy with him to develop your community.