By Uzo Ugwunze
Worried by the spate of kidnapping in Njaba Local Government Area, Imo State, the President General, PG, of Egwedu autonomous community, Chief Eric Nduka Uwaoma, Sunday, urged Governor Hope Uzodinma and the newly elected chairman of Njaba council area, Hon. Vitalis Obi Ugochukwu, to come to their rescue.
Chief Uwaoma who doubles also as the President of all the Presidents General, PGs, in the council area, while addressing newsmen in Onitsha, Anambra state, lamented that the situation has become so worrisome that fear of uncertainty has gripped the people in the area.
“On behalf of all the PGs, I want to use this opportunity to first of all congratulate Chief Hon. Vitalis Obi Ugochukwu, the executive Chairman of Njaba Local Government, for his council poll election victory. You did well in your last administration and we believe that you will do well again because you made us to understand that there is money in Njaba local government,.
“You started paying PGs’ salaries. With our governor, His Excellency, Hope Uzodimma, I know you will do well. Remember the PGs again because we participated well to make sure you retain your seat, any time we are called, we will answer you, please always remember us because we are still grateful for the ones you did to us. I want to also extend my gratitude to Atta ward 3 Counsellor, Mr Jeff Onyekwelu, it shall be well with you,” he prayed.
On the spate of kidnapping he recalled that when their community was besieged by unknown gunmen it was the council chairman, Hon. Ugochukwu, who sacked them and urged him to repeat the magic wand he used then to now fight the kidnappers that have taken over the area.
“We didn’t know the type of magic our chairman performed and everywhere became calm, now what is invoke is kidnapping and we are begging him to come to our rescue and perform the same miracle again,” he pleaded.
“Unknown gunmen burnt down my house because I am PG of our community a and as such they claimed I am working for Governor Uzodinma. Still I have not benefited anything from the present administration than losses,” he lamented.
“Ugochukwu was the first chairman that started to pay salaries to PGs. Those that were held by bandits he went to their different camps and rescued them. Because of him Njaba is the most populous area in Imo State and when you mention Njaba you talk of Atta town which I am involved. Atta ward 3′ is where things are happening and now that Ugochukwu is back he will restore the lost glory of the area,” he assured.
On Education and Health, he said that the council chairman who is called, “Etiokwe Eriokwe,” by his admirers, contributed immensely by repairing some of the roads when he was merely a sole administrator adding that now that he is an executive chairman he will perform more.
“By the special grace of God, the PGs are among the administrative heads in every community and we are the group that make sure things are moving well through the instructions of our traditional rulers.
“We pray after this administration, Ugochukwu is going to National Assembly or above that. Most of our unemployed youths their names have been compiled for employment/empowerment as the case maybe to keep them busy instead of roaming the streets.
“We are pleading to our government to help the council chairman, Ugochukwu because it will not be good if after their administration and our community does not benefit from the dividends of democracy in Imo State since our governor and the Chairman are from our area. They should atleast come and look into our roads and repair them.
“Let His excellency join hands together with our chairman and construct the road leading to Ukwume, Amiri to Awo-junction, let them repair it for us at least a I will be happy that with my suffering we have benefitted something,” he pleaded.
