By Ovedhe Jerry.
The Executive Chairman of Isoko North, Hon. Emmanuel Egbabor has presented his scorecard to the media, as part of the activities to mark his one year in office anniversary.
Hon Egbabor who made the presentation during a press briefing that was well attended by both local and national media, said that though since assumption of office, “the council has continually experienced a nose dive in its revenue profile due to drop in oil price, we have done well in the areas of peace and security, social services and infrastructures.” He also added that “as a responsive, transparent and accountble government, we have managed and applied the scare resources available to us judiciously.”
The chairman said that within the first one month of his administration, “we embarked on the rehabilitation of some bad internal roads in Ozoro metropolis, graded and opened up new streets as well as the entrance road of the General Hospital, Ozoro. We also carried out the re-roofing of the legislative building which has been completed and as we speak, the furnishing is in progress with modern facilities for better legislative business.”
The council boss also lamented the dwindling revenue of the council, but stated that his administration with the scarce available resources has been able to furnish some major offices, purchased computers and desk telephones (intercoms) for conducive administrative work.
He explained that the damaged portion of the Ozoro/Owhelogbo road is presently under rehabilitation, which by God’s grace would be completed on or before end of November this year.
On social services, the health also got a boost within the period under review with the eyes screening, treatment and surgery exercise where over 75 persons where operated upon for different eye problems. Among them was a 17-year old girl, Ufuoma from Olomoro in Isoko South Local Government who was born blind that regained her sight, over 750 people who were given eye glasses freely and 450 eye drops given to people with eye defects. According to him, a health post within the council secretariat with modern medical equipments has also been commissioned where staff with emergency health cases are attended to, with a monthly imprest for drugs.
On peace and security, Hon. Egbabor said they have continually ensured that the local government is safe and secured. “In the last one year, we have as a government ensured that the area is peaceful, safe and secured. We were able to ban the use of Okada in Ozoro, the headquarters from 7pm to 6am, night clubs activities from 10pm to checkmate upsurge in crime which today has yielded results, resolved the Ovrode oil family crisis amicably and Okpaile protracted conflict by adopting Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR). We are at the moment reviewing the security methods of Ozoro metropolis due to the upsurge of criminals.” he said.
The chairman who said the Local government under his administration has “performed wonderfully well in spite of the economic quagmire,” went further to state other achievements to include “funding of soap making at the skill acquisition centre at Ozoro and purchase of computer for the Skill Acquisition Centre at Emevor.
During the period, we have also secured the approval of the National Broadcasting Corporation (NBC) to process a Radio Station license to Isoko North Local Government, being the first council in Nigeria to apply for radio license, which is currently awaiting President Muhammadu Buhari’s final approval.”
Under my watch, “the council has also introduced innovative methods of street naming and house numbering to aid proper planning and to help checkmate security operations. We have also commenced the erection of electric poles and connection of electricity to the legislative building which is ongoing.”
On environment, Egbabor said that three days after assumption of offce, the Council cleared and evacuated refuse from all illegal dumpsites to the permanent dumpsite. The council has also cleared drains and waste in major markets and streets in the area as well as acquired several mowers to clear and keep the council surrounding clean. “We have finalised plans to engage and partner with some environmental experts to boost the cleanliness of the local government area.” he disclosed.
Hon Egbabor however thanked the good people of Isoko North for their support and understanding, soliciting for their support in the remaining years of his administration in order for him to succeed and move the local government forward.
