One-Year in Office: Oji River Chairman, Anyaegbudike, giant strides on security, urban renewal, empowerment, others
The Chairman of Oji River Local Government Area in Enugu State, Mr Greg Anyaegbudike, says council’s achievements on security, urban renewal, infrastructure and social investment have impacted positively on the people.
Anyaegbudike disclosed this to journalists on Wednesday at the council headquarters in Oji River near Enugu while speaking on his one-year in office.
He noted that under his watch, the council area had tackled insecurity headlong through the procurement of security gadgets and equipment, including Drones, and GPS Coordinate High-Tech Tracking Cameras.
He said, “We have provided access to farm lands by opening up motorable road, which included; Uzo Agu Elugwu Akwu, from Ezi German deep into Agu Akwu, up to 3 kilometers, to enhance security and improve connectivity.
“Strengthening of Neighbourhood Watch and Forest Guards through maintenance of operational vehicles, training and support for timely and accurate incident reports.
“Training of the Local Government CSO on advanced digital crime combat strategies and equipment usage as well as proactively clearing of road-path bushes that previously served as ambush points for kidnappers.
“Identification of dark spots and crackdown on criminal elements; thus, drastically reducing kidnapping and other crimes; and maintained six teams of Distress Response Squad (DRS) at strategic locations and more security posts in the area.”
The chairman said that his administration had envisioned moving Oji River from a Semi-Urban to an Urban council status; adding: “We have developed and launched Oji River Urban Master Plan”.
He said, “The successful hosting of first of its kind summit known as Oji River Economic and Development Summit, which took place on Tuesday, April 22, 2025.
“The council engaged in environmental health and pollution control, with the initiative to clear accumulated debris and waste along the affected areas, in order to promote a clean and safe environment.”
On infrastructure, the chairman said that the council engaged in the reconstruction of the drainage and replacement of culvert at Oji Wonderful, along Oji-Achi-Awgu Road, in partnership with FERMA.
He noted that the council also graded a failed portion of Oji-Achi-Awgu Road in partnership with House of Representatives Member for Aninri/Awgu/Oji River Federal Constituency.
Anyaegbudike said, “The council repaired failed portions and filling of potholes with asphalt along Achi-Awgu and Amaetiti Achi-Inyi Roads, including removal of unfriendly bumps as well as refurbished the Local council’s bulldozer, grader and roller.
“Flagged-off and ongoing construction of roads leading to Smart Green Schools and Farm Estates as well as clearing, revamping and fencing of Ugwuoba Cattle Market.
“Reconstruction and asphalting of the dilapidated 13,000 square metres Achi junction – Nigeria Police College section of Oji-Achi-Awgu Road, with well laid stone base.
“Rehabilitation of Achi-Agu Water Scheme located at Elugwu Akwu Achi, after 20-year of dry tap; as we newly installed a higher capacity 10-Horsepower Submersible pumps, changed overhead tanks, and other ancillary materials. It is now working.”
The chairman said that the council also embarked on reticulation of water from Achi-Agu Water Scheme to Obodo Ukwu Market, Elugwu Akwu Achi axis; which is meant to reach more people and the Smart Green School.
“We have provided 500 KVA transformers to some villages as well as drilling and construction of borehole at Nwankwo Square, Ekwuluofia, which is awaiting solar power installation. Potable water is now available,” he said.
The chairman said that on social investment the council had launched Women Entrepreneurs Empowerment and Growth Initiative (WEE-GI), which has empowered over 280 women of the council area with N100,000. each to support their businesses.
He said, “Entrepreneurship training and empowerment of over 70 youths of Oji River Local Government Area, in partnership with the State Government and donation of solar lights to Nigeria Police College, Oji River.
“Sponsorship of Oji River Persons with Disabilities (PWDs) to the flag-off ceremony of the Beyond Disability Project and the inauguration of its State Executives held at the Indoor Sports Hall, Nnamdi Azikiwe Stadium Enugu.
“Inaugural Town Hall Meeting with Oji River business community in Lagos to drive the Partnership for Development (P4D). Other partnerships and investment parleys ongoing.
“The council sponsored and registered 1,000 youths of the council area for the Emerging Tech Skills for Africa Programme (Tech Professional Certification Programs, specifically in the Emerging Technology space).”
Anyaegbudike said that the council provided scholarship to prospective students of Federal Cooperative College Oji River and Enugu State College Health Technology Oji River, who are indigenes of Oji River Local Government Area.
On improving bureaucracy at the council headquarters, the chairman said that the council provided free Internet services to enhance work efficiency and productivity., adding: “Workers and visitors use the free WiFi at the council headquarters.”
Anyaegbudike said, “Installation of 15KVA solar-powered electricity light at the council headquarters, renovation of secretariat buildings and installation of a bio-metric fingerprint time attendance machine at the council secretariat
“Repainting of the fence of the council secretariat as well as installation of electrical fixtures and fittings at Gab Onuzuluike Hall at council secretariat and repairing of its roof damaged by windstorm among other interventions and projects.”