UNMASKING JOHN EKE’S GIANT STRIDES WHILE IN OFFICE AS MBAITOLI LOCAL GOVERNMENT IMC CHAIRMAN UNDER UZODIMMA’S GOVERNMENT
Chief John Eke, the consumate political guru, the immediate past IMC chairman of the most populous LGA in Imo state, Mbaitoli, came, saw and conquered.
His robust blueprint and roadmap to the development of the LGA which he earlier developed,were encapsulated in the shared prosperity mantra of governor Uzodinma’s administration.
No wonder chief John Eke, throughout his tenure demonstrated that he is a top flight disciple of the governor which he manifested in his topnotch achievement in the LGA.
There is no gainsaying the fact that as a disciple of the governor, chief Eke knew what the governor wanted from them, to drive home the philosophy of his governance down the grassroots by ensuring even distribution of dividend of Democracy among the people.
Indeed,he lived up to expectations of the governor.
It is heartwarming to note that he was not deterred by the sorry state of affairs he met on ground on assumption of office in form of bushy environment, dilapidated infrastructure, decripit conveniences, buildings that were even collapsing with blown- off roofs as well as lack of water and electricity.
To demonstrate his administrative sagacity and ingenuity, chief John Eke with the support of the governor moved in quickly to business by restoring the lost glory of the local government by bringing back the aesthetics of the council.
It could equally be recalled that his assumption of office was challenged by the COVID-19 pandemic which ravaged the world economy and affected people’s livelihood negatively but with the proactive approach the governor gave to the pandemic, chief Eke and his team easily forged in the development of Mbaitoli LGA.
No wonder,Hon John Eke’s achievements in his two and half years in office have been rated as one of the best in the state. The palliatives from the state government which he and his committee members ensured even distribution helped in no small measure to mitigate the rate of hunger among the people during the pandemic.
In the area of road infrastructure, the John Eke’s led Interim Management Committee made verifiable achievements such as grading of and rehabilitation of so many rural roads such as roads connecting to Umuonyeli timber market which were rehabilitated in August 2020, construction of covets for easy transportation connecting to some roads in Mbieri along Umudagu and Umuodu Ihitte Mbieri autonomous community. including the 5-km road project approved by the governor for each of the twenty seven LGA’s in the state.
Indeed, people of Mbieri cannot forget the benevolence of Hon John Eke and his team in the area of road rehabilitation which impacted seriously on the lives of Mbieri and Mbaitoli in general.
Mention should also be made of open markets which his administration constructed to alleviate the challenges which the women of Mbaitoli face in their trading activities. Some of these open markets were built and situated in places like Orie Idem Ogwa market square in Ogwa ward 1, Afor Obazu Mbieri market square.
Hon. John Eke with his workaholic team succeeded in changing the narrative of Mbaitoli LGA by returning the functionality of Nworieubi city Electricity project and installed brand new 500KVA transformer in the council which supplies power to some communities within Nworieubi city villages in some parts of Awo Mbieri autonomous community, Ifeakala, Orodo and Nworieubi environs which was vandalized by criminal elements before he came to office. It will not be fair not to mention that the IMC Chairman renovated the Mbaitoli Education Authority building, NYSC lodge, reconstructed high perimeter council security fence and the council borehole.
The John Eke led administration saw the need for the good health of the people, hence he renovated the Ubomiri health center, Amankuta health center, Obi Orodo health center, Ogbaku and Ifakala health centers which were in a state of comatose in line with the directive of the governor. It is worthy of note that there was wide jubilation by the beneficiaries of the Nworieubi electricity project the day the transformers were commissioned at local government headquarters. The event featured the decamping of many people from various parties into the APC among whom is one of the critical stakeholders of the LGA, a business mogul and industrialist from Ubomiri ward, Dr Augustin Okwara.
It is a verifiable fact that hon John Eke’s administration donated 300KVA transformer in many other communities in Obinoha Autonomous community, Umunoha -Azara ward as well as Ogbujioma autonomous community Ogbaku ward.
In line with the shared prosperity Mantra, Hon John Eke and his team assisted Ibeama- Isiogwa autonomous community in Ogwa ward 2 to rehabilitate their electricity sub-station and cleared their outstanding bills to enable the people enjoy electricity.
Still in the area of rural electrification, chief John Eke led administration donated twenty four electric poles to the Okpuala Ogbujioma autonomous community Ogbaku.
The former Mbaitoli IMC Chairman was able to manage the security situation in the area. Little wonder he was honoured with the award of “Best IMC Chairman of the year 2021 by a reputable media Organization” The African Free Press Magazine” and also an award of honour as the most accessible and proactive IMC Chairman in Imo state 2021″ by the Imo Breaking News Newspaper Company.
To his credit, Hon Eke demonstrated diligence, resilience, humility and hard work while was in office. He equally won the confidence and love of Mbaitoli people who are recommending him to the governor for more political promotion under this administration in line with the saying that the reward for hard work is more work.
WRITTEN BY MR JOSHUA CHIBUZOM, CHAIRMAN, ASSOCIATION OF MBAITOLI JOURNALIST (AMJ).
