Highlights Infrastructure, Education, Health and Security Needs
Citypost News Desk
Former PDP governorship aspirant and prominent Anambra political figure, H.E Chief Dr Ike Oligbo, has appealed to Governor Chukwuma Charles Soludo to include Umuoji, his hometown in Idemili North LGA, in the newly approved road and infrastructure projects across Anambra State.
In a statement issued on Friday by his media aide, Comrade Arinze Nweje, Oligbo reminded the governor that Umuoji voted massively for him during the last election and remains a strategic community within the Greater Onitsha Metropolis. He noted that extending development projects to the town would align with the governor’s transformation agenda and the Anambra Vision 2070 blueprint.
Oligbo lamented that one of the most critical roads linking Umuoji and its neighbours — the Eke Umuoji – Eke-Agu – Abatete Road — was earlier reconstructed but unfortunately stopped at Ifite Umuoji, leaving the remaining stretch in a deplorable condition. He made a strong appeal to the governor to authorize the completion of this important road, stressing its importance for commerce, mobility, and safety for residents who use the corridor daily.
He also called for rehabilitation of other key roads such as the Oba–Umuoji–Akwukwu Road, Eke Uke–Okpokolo–VIP Umuoji Road, and Mmiri John Road, noting their significance for trade, inter-community access, and security. He urged the state government to integrate Umuoji into Soludo’s ongoing 800km road construction drive.
Oligbo further drew attention to worsening gully erosion in Umuoji, particularly in the Abidi and Agumaelum areas, while appealing for erosion control interventions similar to those recently approved for Ogidi, to prevent loss of homes, farmlands, and critical landscape.
He encouraged the governor to replicate existing “smart schools” across Idemili and expand vocational training initiatives such as the One Youth, Two Skills program to empower Umuoji’s youth, reduce unemployment, and discourage migration.
Oligbo also called for the upgrade of the Umuoji Health Centre and support systems for women-led enterprises through microfinance and agricultural empowerment in line with the Healthy Living with Nonye Soludo initiative.
On energy and security, he emphasized the need for improved electricity supply through smart metering and solar backup systems, alongside strengthened community policing under the Anambra Homeland Security framework to curb criminality.
To improve synergy, he recommended establishing a Umuoji Development Taskforce, which could later serve as a model for similar frameworks in other communities to enhance state–community partnership and ensure transparent project monitoring.
Oligbo expressed confidence that incorporating Umuoji into ongoing state projects would strengthen Governor Soludo’s reputation for inclusive governance and fast-track development across Idemili North.
