Delight Chinedum
Member representing Ogbaru Federal Constituency at the National Assembly, Chief Afam Ogene urged state government to produce master plan for the development of Ogbaru.
He underscored Ogbaru as state’s industrial, oil and gas, as well as agricultural belt of the state but largely neglected by the government.
Speaking during the 2024 Ogbaru Economic Summit, themed, “Driving Sustainable Economic Development in Ogbaru: Our Road to Prosperity”, announced constitution of a ten Think Tank Committees in different developmental areas.
He said the committee would further gather the ideas generated at the summit, develop and implement them before the next summit slated for 2025.
“These committees are headed by notable sons and daughters of the Local Government Area including Okpoko,” he disclosed.
Identifying poor roads, electricity, health facilities, schools, insecurity and human capacity development as some of myriad of challenges facing the area, the lawmaker urged the people to take advantage of the summit to make intentional efforts to protect their land and preserve its values.
“It is indeed heartwarming that at a time Ogbaruland is being enmeshed in negative news of criminality and violence, these progressives among us have come together to give hope to our people through conversations around sustainable developments, economic revival and peaceful coexistence in Ogbaru.
“I endorse the initiative and call for its sustenance and formulation of practicable solutions targeted at uplifting our homeland in a manner that we will all be proud of.
Speaker, Anambra State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Somtochukwu Udeze expressed concerns over several years of setbacks bedevelling people of Ogbaru Local Government Area of the state following decades of neglect and underdevelopment.
He said the ugly situation was more worrisome especially when juxtaposed with the rich culture, resilience and untapped potentials that characterized the town, but noted that all hopes were not lost.
He described the Summit as dream come true as well as opportunity for people of the area to rewrite their history through unity and ideas sharing for the progress of the town.
He said, “This Summit is a dream come true- a vision that brings us all under one roof to address our economic challenges and forge a path towards a prosperous future.
“Ogbaru is rich in culture, resilience and untapped potentials. But we have faced too many setbacks due to neglect and underdevelopment.
“Now we have a chance to rewrite our story by working together, sharing ideas and building the Ogbaru of our dreams.
“The summit offers us valuable platform to explore ways to stimulate growth in the area and shape our future.”
Governor Chukwuma Soludo described Ogbaru as central to the economic development of the state.
Soludo, represented by Commissioner for Budget, Mrs Chiamaka Nnake, urged the people to embrace the Think Home Initiative of his administration to promote investments.
Former Aviation Minister, Senator Stella Oduah, in her keynote speech on the Summit theme highlighted strategies to foster sustainable development in Ogbaru.
She said Ogbaru indigenes were special breed known for their contentment amidst poverty, urging them to harness such virtues to restore the good old days.
She said, “I’m passionate about Ogbaru and her affairs. The average Ogbaru citizen is contented even in the midst of poverty; yet has pride in it. Unfortunately that virtue is gradually eroding us.
“We need to enhance our specialness and brush it to be in tandem with global best practices.”
Speaking on investments potentials of Ogbaru, Managing Director, Anambra State Investment, Promotion and Protection Agency (ANSIPPA), Dr. Mark Okoye praised the organizers for the initiative which he said was in line with Soludo’s efforts towards driving development in a decentralized manner.
Member Representing Ogbaru Constituency One in the State House of Assembly, Mr Noble Igwe said the summit was critical step towards unlocking the vast potentials in the zone.
He expressed optimism that the ideas and partnership formed during the summit would create brighter future for the people.
Mayor, Ogbaru LGA, Chief Franklin Nwadialo said the summit offered opportunity to the people to discuss how to drive sustainable development in key areas of security, healthcare, education, roads and agriculture.
Earlier, Chairman of the occasion and traditional ruler of Omor, Igwe Chris Oranu canvassed for establishment of Security Trust Fund to enhance safety in Ogbaru.
Ifeanyi Ochije, Organizer of Social Media Fest (Smfest) Awka, who also led the team that designed and planned the Ogbaru Economic Summit underscored the need to fix critical infrastructure that would stimulate sustainable development.
“Today presents yet another opportunity to tap into the potentials of both human capital development and natural resources that will provide jobs for the teeming youths and engender economic growth in the area.
“Hence the need to fix critical infrastructure that will stimulate sustainable development,” he stated.