Gov Otti and Hon Nwaka, right after the swearing in 


The Transition Committee Chairman of Ikwuano Local Government Council Mayor Osinachi Nwaka on Thursday assured the people of delivering maximum development to the LGA


Nwaka was speaking immediately after he and 16 LGAs Transition Committee Chairpersons were sworn in by Abia State Governor Alex Otti at the Michael Okpara Auditorium, Umuahia 



Nwaka and the Deputy Transition Committee Chairman, Chief Charles Ugboajah who were  later received by a jubilating crowd  at Umugbalu Primary School, Umugbalu -Oboro where a reception was held for him said: “My people are renowned agrarians and with my arrival as the Council leader, I will strive to restore their lost dignity and improve the area across all sectors.


“It is my desire to serve my people and I shall not let them down”, he pledged, even as he applauded the Governor for considering him worthy to preside over the affairs of the Council


Chief Charles Ugboajah, Deputy Chairman 


Gov Otti in his charge to the  Transition Committee Chairmen (Mayors) for the 17 Local Government Areas urged them  to make the local communities conducive for active production and rapid growth,  reminding them that their appointment is a call to serve and not to be served.


In his speech entitled “Expanding the Frontiers of Development” Otti  said: “Your primary task as mayors and deputies shall be to make the local communities and towns conducive for active production and rapid growth. We expect you to quickly develop holistic frameworks for improving agriculture and light scale production in ways that enhance outputs and attract domestic and foreign investors.


"We do not expect you to get everything right on the first day but you must be willing to learn, keeping your mind open to new ideas and possibilities.” 


He promised that his administration would give each of them freehand to manage the affairs of the council responsibly. He said it is very important to design their programmes in ways that align with the general development philosophy of the present Labour Party administration in the State.


He further tasked them to enhance security of their various LGAs. “Your first task as leaders of the various LGAs shall include strengthening the security architecture in the towns and villages within your domain, especially as the yuletide approaches.”


The Governor disclosed that his administration is working with multiple stakeholders, including multilateral and donor agencies, global IT companies and local financial institutions, to develop a robust framework for addressing the critical challenges facing the people, including endemic poverty, restricted access to basic amenities , limited skills for enhanced earning and unequal access to the boundless opportunities of the 21st century global economy


He charged them to get their priorities right, build networks that can help them drive the development agenda of the Labour Party in their LGAs and discern where more would be achieved through partnership with relevant agencies of the State. He admonished them to guard against distractions that are bound to come from internal wrangling.


On his reason for appointing such class of people as Mayors, Governor Otti said: “We need the best hands and heads to drive the development of the state. We are in a hurry to elevate the standards of leadership to accommodate strictly those who have something to offer.


He thanked the Mayors and their Deputies for accepting to bring their extensive wealth of experience in various fields of human endeavours to bear in the service of their communities and urged them to serve as the vanguards of the New Abia in the 17 LGAs.


In a speech on behalf of his colleagues,  the Mayor for Isiala Ngwa South LGA, r. Elelenta Nwambuisi Elelenta,  pledged their commitment to serve.


The event attracted many diginitaries including the Deputy Governor, Mr Okechukwu Emetu;  Speaker of the State House of Assembly, Hon Emmanuel Emeruwa;  Commissioners; State Labour Party Chairman, Ceekay Igarra and the Secretary to the State Government, Prof. Kenneth Kalu.