By James Ndubuisi Nwakpa
Stakeholders of Ikwo Local Government Area have commended the Executive Governor of Ebonyi State, His Excellency, Rt. Hon. Builder Francis Ogbonna Nwifuru, for prioritizing rural road development in his People’s Charter of Needs led administration.
The commendation was made during the flag-off ceremony for the construction of a 2KM Nduoduma-Ugbodo Road in Echialike Community, Ikwo LGA. The event, which marked a significant milestone in the area’s infrastructural development, was officiated by Her Excellency, Chief Mrs. Josephine Elechi, wife of the former Governor of Ebonyi State.
The flag-off ceremony attracted prominent dignitaries, including village heads, community leaders, and political office holders from Echialike community and beyond.
Speaking at the event, the Executive Chairman of Ikwo Local Government Area, Hon. Barr. Sunday Nwankwo, expressed deep appreciation to Governor Nwifuru for approving the construction of the 2KM road, describing it as a legacy project and the first of its kind in the village.
Hon. Barr. Nwankwo appealed to the villagers whose crops might be affected by the construction to accept the development in good faith. He emphasized that developmental projects require land, and urged the community to remain grateful to the governor for remembering them in his infrastructure agenda. He reassured the people that all necessary arrangements have been made to ensure that the project is executed to the highest quality standards.
Other prominent stakeholders at the event including Hon. Celestine Nwali, a former Commissioner in Ebonyi State, and Hon. Francis Elem, former Ikwo/Ezza South Federal House of Representatives member and current Chairman of the Ebonyi State House of Assembly Commission, lauded the governor’s initiative of prioritizing community roads. They noted that the ongoing rural road construction would significantly boost agricultural and economic activities in the state.
Similarly, the President General of Echialike Development Union, Comrade Patrick Igwe, the APC Secretary of Ikwo LGA, Mr. Emmanuel Onele, and Ohaneze Ndigbo Youth Leader in Ikwo LGA, Mr. Vincent Ekuma, all expressed their gratitude to Governor Nwifuru for embarking on this transformative project, while extending their appreciations to Hon. Barr. Sunday Nwankwo, the Ikwo Council Chairman for attracting the project to the community, and pledged their continued support for the present administration. They further assured the government of the security of all the equipments to be used for the road construction.
The event also served as an opportunity to celebrate the birthday of His Excellency, Chief Martin Nwanchor Elechi, former Governor of Ebonyi State, whom the stakeholders described as a true father and an encyclopedia of knowledge, while extending their best wishes for good health and many more years of impactful celebration.
The flag-off ceremony ended with a renewed sense of unity and commitment among the people of Ikwo LGA, reinforcing their support for Governor Nwifuru’s developmental strides in the state.
