By Chijioke Attah
The Chairman, Igbo-Etiti local government Area of Enugu State has advocated for the devolution of powers to the council areas to stimulate rural development in the country.
Speaking during a media chat, Dr Eric Odo expressed hope that the National Assembly would speedy up the constitution reforms that will usher in true federalism in the country.
When achieved, he noted, the reforms would devolve more powers and funding to the local government areas for impactful rural development.
According to him, majority of Nigerians live in the local governments and if more powers are given to the governments at this critical tier of governance, they would have the capacity to transform their various areas.
On the health sector, Odo revealed that the cottage hospital in the council area has ben upgraded to a general hospital to provide secondary healthcare needs of the people.
The council chairman said that the he had equipped the hospital and plans to recruit specialists in the various areas of medical care to halt medical tourism outside the local government.
The medical doctor turned politician also reeled out his government’s efforts to curb insecurity through synergy between the various security agencies operational in the council area.
According to him, the council has put structures in place to ensure the security of lives and property in the council area through the establishment of command offices for the civil defence corps and the refurbishment of vehicles to aid operations of the security agencies.
Odo also expressed happiness that the council was already enjoying returns on investment on agriculture and promised to invest over 500 million naira in integrated agriculture in the coming years due to the profitability and anticipated growth in the internally generated revenue.
He thanked the Executive Governor of the state, Peter Mbah whose none interference with local government funds had made these modest achievements possible.
The council chairman assured his people the once the rains subside, they would see massive road construction and asphalting.
