Obio/Akpor Boss Seeks Community, Govt Synergy To Dev Ogbogoro

Chairman of Obio/Akpor Local Government Council, Barrister George Ariolu, has said that there was need for communities to remain resolute, focused and strong, to boost growth in economic activities in the area.
He said it was pertinent that community leaders collaborate with government to create a safe environment for investors and businesses to thrive.
Ariolu made this statement, last Friday, when he received members of Ogbogoro community on a courtesy visit at the Council Headquarters in Rumuodomaya.
He commended the leadership of the community for their role in mending issues and reconciling aggrieved persons, saying that peace was a platform on which development thrives.
He also expressed satisfaction with the peace, joy and togetherness inherent amongst members of the community, advising the leadership to reach out to those aggrieved to ensure that every lose end was tightened.
According to him, “If you allow the court to decide your fate, one faction must be at the losing end. A community without peace is devoid of government presence.”
Responding to the issue of waste evacuation raised by the community leaders, Ariolu stressed that refuse management was not the sole responsibility of the local government council, noting that the council only carried out the state government’s directives to intervene in parts of the state.
Although, the state government has set up a sanitation taskforce, he promised to assist the community in the evacuation of the heap of wastes along Ogbogoro road in line with their request.
Speaking further, he disclosed that issues pertaining to primary and secondary education were solely the responsibility of the state government, assuring that the council would intervene swiftly in the fencing of Ogbogoro Community School, to protect students and learning materials from scavengers.
Similarly, he said the council would deliver a transformer to the community in due time based on high demand from other communities.
Meanwhile, Ariolu has frowned at the idea of empowering Community Development Committees (CDCs) to ensure sanity in the area, stressing that sanitation was an integral part of the people’s culture.
He insisted on a collaborative effort of both government and individuals, while urging community leaders to partner with government to maintain a clean and safe environment for better living.
Ariolu, who charged communities in the area to continue to give support to the state government, described Rivers State Governor, Chief Nyesom Wike, as a political consultant in Nigeria.
He also called for support and advice from leaders to boost development in the area, adding that his administration was open to ideas that would move the area forward.
Speaking earlier, the Paramount Ruler of Ogbogoro Community, Eze Felix Ikechukwu Nna Amadi, commended Ariolu for the transformation in the area since his assumption of office, congratulating him on his emergence as chairman of Obio/Akpor Local Government Area.
He maintained that such development strides can only come from a man who has the people at heart, adding that it can only be achieved through constant engagement of the people.
Similarly, he congratulated Governor Nyesom Wike for his sterling performance and display of doggedness at the national level, adding that the people of Obio/Akpor were proud of him.
In his speech, one of the community leaders, Mr. Curtis Dike, also commended Ariolu for the reception as well as policies and programmes that have transformed the area, assuring that all litigations before the court would be settled amicably.

By: Nelson Chukwudi