By Romanus Nkeonye Imah
At the creation of Umunneochi Local Government Area following a proclamation by the late maximum ruler, General Sani Abacha on the 1st of October, 1996, the over 163,000 people that inhabit the geographical area were thrown into a spontaneous mood of jubilation and excitement. The long desired wish of the people to have government get closer to them was now a reality. And so there was need to be merry and joyous.
Umunneochi no doubt, is a unique Local Government Area as it evidently sits at the centre of Igbo ethnic nationality. Priding itself as one local government area bordered by all the other four South Eastern States of Enugu in the North, Imo in the South, Ebonyi in the North East and Anambra in the North West, one had expected that this unique geographical location will engender meaningful development in the area. This is most expected because Umunneochi has become the gateway for travellers to Enugu, Onitsha, Port Harcourt, Owerri and other big cities in the South East and South-South.
And so, it was expected that those entrusted with the leadership of the local government right from creation, would build legacies that will print their names on the sands of time. Indeed, the local government administration serves as a platform for potential community leaders to showcase their prowess and leadership ingenuity. It invariably too, serves as a platform for those who want to kill their memory eternally to do so.
Celebrated erstwhile charismatic president of the United States of America, John Fitzgerald Kennedy once took his American compatriots to task when he charged them to “think of what you can do for your country, and not what your country can do for you”. Kennedy may have died decades of years ago yet, those immortal words of his have continued to form the roadmap on which those who love to leave legacies behind as leaders, have decided to tread.
The truth is that those who care less about leaving legacies behind are those who detest their roots. They are those who probably do not have names to protect. They are those who are ashamed of where they are coming from. Their unpopular choice of not wanting to leave legacies behind could probably mean that they don’t want to be remembered for anything good.
On the other hand, a good leader is one who strives to leave indelible marks on the sands of time. He is somebody who is in love with posterity. He is somebody who has found wisdom in the immortal words of Emperor Haile Sellassie that “if we succeed in the tasks which lie before us, our names will be remembered and our deeds recalled by those who follow us. If we fail, history will puzzle at our failure and mourn what was lost”.
It is rather sad that those who have had the privilege of leading us at the local government level, had rather towed the path of failure and are not bothered that today, history is not only puzzled by their disappointment but is mourning the opportunity they wasted while in office; the opportunity they had to write their names in gold; the opportunity provided them to engrave their names on history books for posterity to envy.
I may be wrong but can somebody in all sincerity, point to me what meaningful thing we have enjoyed from any of our local government chairmen since the creation of Umunneochi Local Government? Apart from Chief Uzor Egbo (while in Isuikwuato LGA), which other Umunneochi Local Government Area chairman has touched the lives of Umunneochi citizens? Yes, Chief Chidiebere Udeh may have given employment to some of our teeming young men and women, should that serve as the only achievement of a local government chairman in two years?
Former Governor Orji Uzor Kalu’s 8 years at the helm of affairs in Abia State was undoubtedly, Abia State and indeed Umunneochi’s darkest period. Over 80% of the total allocations meant for the local government area was said to have been diverted to God knows where. In fact, between June 2004 and September 2005, a total of N903, 470, 941.30 (N.9billion) entered into the coffers of the local government yet, no single road was done by then Council chairman.
What would one say about what Umunneochi, just like every other local governments in Abia State has been suffering since the return of democracy to the country in 1999? Former Governor Orji Uzor Kalu and his successor have relentlessly been siphoning council funds through the appointment of Transition Committees for local governments. Yet, touts and political thugs have continued to preside over affairs at the council.
The truth is that our people are yet to feel the impact of government being closer to them. When the council authorities cannot ensure constant electricity supply in our local government; when little culverts cannot be constructed; when even the culvert called the Mmam bridge cannot be reconstructed by the council, why then should we be proud of being gifted a local government?
For me, Umunneochi Local Government Area has been more of curses for the people than blessings as long as those who call the shots in Umuahia dictate what happens at the council level. It is disheartening that the local government has nothing to show for over N3billion that has entered its coffers since its creation in 1996. It pains!
NB: Your reaction to this article will be most welcome. You can as well raise any issue here for discussion. Just write to umunneochi@gmail.com .
