The wife of the Ebonyi State Governor, Mrs. Josephine Elechi, has enjoined communities in the state to embark on development projects, pointing out that government alone cannot provide all the amenities they needed.
Commissioning community built projects in Ohaozara Local Government Area, Elechi noted that proper partnership between government and the people was an effective means of bringing development to the grassroots.
During the visit, she inaugurated 10 hand pump boreholes built in various communities within Okposi Okwu in the council area.
At Umuka, she commissioned the extension of an electrification project in addition to another set of 10 hand pump boreholes.
The first lady also commissioned a fully-equipped new health centre at Umunuka community.
Also, Elechi inaugurated a newly constructed set of three blocks of 10 lock-up shops in Ugwulangwu community.
Among those that accompanied the Ebonyi State first lady on the visit were the wife of the state’s deputy governor, Mrs. Rachel Umahi; the General Manager, Ebonyi State Community and Social Development Agency, Dr. Peter Mbam; the Ohaozara Local Government Area Chairman, Mr. Enekwachi Akpa; and other dignitaries and community leaders.
The projects were built by the host communities in partnership with the EB-CSDA, with assistance from the World Bank.
The various community leaders praised the efforts of the state government in partnering with communities in the provision of social amenities in all parts of the state.
The community leaders also implored the state government under the leadership of Chief Martin Elechi not to relent in its efforts to give every Ebonyi resident a sense of belonging through his social welfare programmes.
Another high point of the first Lady’s visit was when she presented the keys to a one-bedroom bungalow built and donated by the council to an aged childless widow, Madam Ngwuta Nwakpa, in Umuobuna, a community in Uburu.
Thanking the first lady for her support and love for the people of the area, Akpa disclosed that the council has also donated four motorcycles to enhance the operation of the maternal mortality and morbidity committee in the area.
He explained that the mother and child care initiative project of Mrs. Elechi had provided preventive health services to women and children, especially pregnant mothers, in line with the Millennium Development Goals.
He reiterated the readiness of his administration to partner with communities, public-spirited individuals, groups and development agencies in developing the area.