.. . Swears-in Appointees
By Ifeanyichukwu Ibe
Amidst radiance of joy and hope, the Executive Chairman of Onuimo LGA, Dr. Emeka Obi on Friday, January 24, presented 2025 Budget Proposal of N5,0165,576,437 (Five billion, one hundred and sixty five million, five hundred and seventy six thousand, four hundred and thirty seven naira) to the legislature, tagging the fiscal document: “Budget of New Beginning.”
This followed the chairman’s earlier swearing-in of political appointees, including the Secretary to the Local Government, Supervisory Councillors and his Special Adviser on General Services, with a charge for them to discharge their duties with dedication and excellence towards advancing the LGA.
The appointees included: Chief Paul Okonkwo (Secretary to the Local Government); Prince Eddie Ekwebelem (Supervisory Councillor for Health); Hon Nwadike Samuel (Supervisory Councillor for Agriculture); Hon. Mrs. Nnenna Ofoegbu (Supervisory Councillor for Finance); Mrs. Ngozi Leo Achunonu (Supervisory Councillor for Education) and Hon. Lebechi Vitalis (Special Adviser, General Services. The Deputy Chairman, Hon. Eugene Ibegbulem was assigned the Works Department.
Meanwhile, during the budget presentation, Dr. Obi, explained that the return of democratic governance at the local level was a great feat that would fast track development at the grassroots. He thanked Governor Hope Uzodimma for re-establishing elected local government system in fulfilment of his promise, hailing the governor for the kind gesture to the Imo people and accomplishment that his predecessors could not.
The breakdown of the budget, showed the capital expenditure taking the greater part with N3,974,062,422 (Three billion, nine hundred and seventy four million, six hundred and twenty four thousand, twenty two naira) representing (78%) of the budget, while the recurrent expenditure stood at N1,0425,140,15 (One billion, four hundred and twenty five million, one hundred and forty thousand, fifteen naira) accounted for (22%).
Accompanied by his deputy, supervisory councillors and other management staff and workers, Dr. Obi, appealed to the Onuimo Legislative Council members to ensure speedy passage of the budget, considering its importance, noting that the huge amount allocated to capital expenditure reflected the necessity to fix the infrastructural needs of the area adversely affected by insecurity among other factors.
The chairman, added that the budget would help him to consolidate on his efforts at bringing stability and prosperity to the LGA through the provision of social amenities as well as human capital development. He used the opportunity and reassured the people of Onuimo LGA of his resolve to transform the area, soliciting their support and contributions.
While inspecting some projects, Obi, outlined some of his achievements during his 100 days in office to include: rehabilitation of roads, procurement of solar street lights and erection of billboards to mark boundaries between Onuimo and its neighbouring LGAs. Others are the procurement of motorcycles for security and administrative purposes, roofing of the multipurpose hall at the council among other maintenance works as well as the restoration of security and normalcy in the area.
In his address of welcome, the Leader of the Legislative Council, Rt. Hon. Andy Maduako, commended the LGA chairman for fulfilling a constitutional requirements through the budget presentation, assuring him of collaboration and prompt passage. Also, the Deputy Leader, Rt. Hon. Akusi Nnedimma; the Majority Leader, Hon. Okoroike Sunnyken among others hailed the LGA chairman for articulating a transformative budget that would address the needs of the area.
