Local government administration: Umuahia North Mayor plans to boost internally generated revenue.

Stephanie Clems, Umuahia

Mayor of Umuahia North local government are, Chief Victor Ikeji has shared plans to develop the council’s revenue base without dependence on the federal allocations.

He said the revival of the farm settlements in the local government will help him achieve full financial independence for the area.

The mayor who stated this when some members of the Online media practitioners Association of Nigeria, OMPAN led by their chairman, Chief Promise Uzoma Okoro, called on him at the council secretariat for an interface said he intends to open up access in the Ulonna farm settlements.

He disclosed that he was in talks with some foreign investors who had shown interest in the settlements.

Chief Ikeji said that under his watch,the Council would get to a point where it would not have to depend on federal or state government to function effectively but will be generating funds from the agriculture sector.

” We are getting enough funds to do projects and enough cooperation from the Governor.

The Governor has even challenged us to bring mega projects to embark on for the him to fund them,” he said.

He further highlighted some of his achievements since assumption of office as the mayor of the council which included grading of some community roads, opening up the water ways in Umuahia metropolis.

The council boss further informed the bloggers that he had renovated and retrofitted his office, restored electricity in the council and environs as well as the water borehole.

According to him, the council is also training some young persons on ICT and artificial intelligence as well as another 120 people in other skills.

He described himself as a media friendly person, assuring that he was prepared to partner OMPAN for effective information and communication.

He announced that they have successfully moved the motor parks littered all over the Umuwaya road to Okigwe park after installation of street lights and building of public conveniences.

In his words,” I intend to carry out a complete renovation of the entire Umuahia North and I am already designing it. The council is going to witness a tremendous transformation. I can assure you that there will be tremendous improvement under my watch.”

Earlier,the Chairman of OMPAN and leader of the delegation,Chief Promise Uzoma Okoro said they were in the Council to interface with the Mayor on the need to have free and easy flow of of information between the council and the media.

He appreciated him for the audience granted the members of the union,despite the short notice