Awgu, Enugu State — October 8, 2025

In what has been described as a historic celebration of grassroots transformation and purposeful leadership, the Executive Governor of Enugu State, His Excellency Dr. Peter Ndubuisi Mbah, ably represented by the Honourable Commissioner for Local Government, Rural Development, and Chieftaincy Matters, Deacon Okey Ogbodo, on Tuesday, October 7 and Wednesday, October 8, 2025, embarked on a two-day commissioning and inspection tour of completed and ongoing projects executed by the Executive Chairman of Awgu Local Government Area, Hon. Uchenna Joseph Okolo, within just one year in office.

The two-day event was marked by excitement, music, and jubilation across all communities of Awgu LGA, as residents turned out in large numbers to celebrate unprecedented development projects that have touched nearly every ward of the local government.

Delivering Water, Hope, and Leadership

Flagging off the tour at Ogugu Community, where one of the newly completed solar-powered boreholes was commissioned, Hon. Okolo reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to the “Awgu Water for All Initiative” — a flagship project aimed at providing clean and sustainable water to every household in Awgu.

The Chairman, who holds a Master’s Degree in Geology, recalled his campaign promise to end Awgu’s decades-long water crisis by drilling 25 solar-powered boreholes.

“Today, in just one year in office, we have successfully drilled 21 boreholes — 13 of which are fully completed with overhead tanks, solar systems, and reticulation ready for commissioning. We are a government that delivers on promises,” Okolo stated.

He expressed deep appreciation to Governor Mbah for his visionary leadership and massive infrastructure drive across the state, noting that his administration at the local government level is complementing the Governor’s developmental agenda through grassroots implementation.

“Governor Mbah has done over 100 boreholes across Enugu State. We are proud to follow in his footsteps and replicate his model of results-driven leadership,” Okolo said.

State Government Commends Grassroots Excellence

Commissioning the Ogugu Solar-Powered Borehole, Deacon Okey Ogbodo commended Hon. Okolo for his commitment to effective local governance, describing him as “a true example of the Mbah administration’s model of transformative leadership at the grassroots.”

He observed that under Governor Peter Mbah’s leadership, Enugu State has witnessed extraordinary development, peace, and investor confidence, adding that Awgu’s rapid growth under Hon. Okolo was a clear reflection of that progress.

“Hon. Uchenna Okolo has done excellently well within just one year in office. His projects are not only massive but equitably distributed across communities. This is what true leadership looks like,” Ogbodo said.

The Commissioner also inaugurated several SatoPan toilets, part of Hon. Okolo’s campaign to end open defecation through the distribution of 2,000 modern toilets and the training of artisans on proper installation to ensure sustainability. He urged the benefiting communities to protect and maintain the facilities as vital community assets.

A Tour of Impact and Innovation

The commissioning train moved through several communities — Owelle Court, Ihe, Ogbaku, Ituku, Isuawa, Mgbowo, Awgu Town, Ugwueme, Awgunta, Obeagu, and Agbogugu — where solar-powered boreholes, transformers, SatoPan toilets, road projects, and other impactful community facilities were inaugurated and inspected.

The delegation also visited the ongoing Sexual Harassment and Abuse Response Centre, the first of its kind in Enugu State, as well as the nearly completed 3.6km Agbogugu Access Road leading to the Smart Green School, featuring double drainage and walkways.

Hon. Okolo assured that the project would be completed by November 2025, explaining that weather conditions had temporarily slowed asphalt work. Other key Commissions and inspections included the Commissioning of 1.5km Awgu–Ndeaboh Road (Awgu end) and the Inspection of 3.5km Awgu–Ugwueme Road and all linking various Smart Green School access routes currently under construction in all 11 wards of the LGA.

Additionally, 600 solar-powered street lights — distributed at 20 per community across Awgu’s 25 communities — were commissioned to enhance security and night-time mobility.

At the Awgu Local Government Secretariat, the Commissioner also commissioned the rehabilitated and beautified secretariat headquarters, applauding Hon. Okolo for upgrading the facility to a world-class administrative complex. He also inspected the Chairman’s new office building, the installation of a council transformer, and a solar-powered borehole system within the premises.

“The Best Among Equals” – Commissioner Lauds Okolo

Speaking in an exclusive interview after the tour, Commissioner Ogbodo described Hon. Okolo as “the best-performing local government chairman in Enugu State,” praising his innovation, accountability, and even distribution of projects across communities.

“The scope, scale, and spread of projects in Awgu are remarkable. Hon. Okolo’s leadership is a model for local governance — practical, transparent, and people-centered,” Ogbodo said.

Okolo Reaffirms Commitment to Governor Mbah’s Vision

In his closing remarks, Hon. Uchenna Okolo expressed gratitude to the Governor and the visiting delegation for their support, reaffirming his administration’s resolve to continue complementing the Mbah Administration’s vision of inclusive development and disruptive innovation.

“Governor Mbah has turned Enugu into a construction site, and we at the grassroots are proud to replicate that same drive. Enugu State is now the pride of the South East — a hub of development, innovation, and peace. We will keep doing our best to complement his vision for inclusive governance,” he said.

The two-day tour ended amid jubilation, singing, and celebration, as Stakeholders, community leaders, traditional rulers, and religious figures praised Hon. Okolo’s one-year record of service and transformative achievements.

“In just one year, Hon. Okolo has changed the face of Awgu,” said HRH Igwe Kingsley Okeke, one of the community leaders. “We thank Governor Mbah for his leadership and Hon. Okolo for replicating that developmental energy here in Awgu.”

 

Hon. Tochukwu Chukwu
Special Adviser on General Media and Publicity to the Executive Chairman, Awgu LGA