18/02/2025
𝗠𝗿. 𝗖𝗵𝗮𝗶𝗿𝗺𝗮𝗻 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗝𝗼𝘂𝗿𝗻𝗲𝘆 𝗦𝗼 𝗙𝗮𝗿
The third tier of government, otherwise known as the local government area, was created to bring governance closer to the people. Good governance exists where there is safety for life and property. Thus, the government is expected to provide basic infrastructure, but this cannot be effectively delivered when the head of government visits the local government area only occasionally while residing remotely.
The defunct Eleme County Council was created as far back as 1959. The establishment of this government at the grassroots eventually led to the construction of the chairman's lodge in Ogale, Nchia, which now serves the Federal Road Safety Corps in Ogale, Nchia. This is comparable to the State House in Port Harcourt and the Presidential Villa in the FCT.
The Eleme local government area was created in 1996. However, except for a few instances over the years, the local government chairmen in the area resided either in ObioAkpor or Port Harcourt. This created a gap between administrators and the grassroots, making it difficult for the people to access them. If one cannot easily reach their leader to voice concerns, how can their needs be met? That was the situation in Eleme. Even when he visited the secretariat, gatekeepers might subject visitors to bureaucratic bottlenecks, which can be frustrating. This is where the decision of the incumbent executive chairman to reside among his people is commendable, and I believe it has led to finding solutions to the people's needs. Emere Brain A. Gokpa has always remained connected to his people, having served as Eleme Youth President and later inducted into the Council of Chiefs. Now, Eleme residents have a chairman who not only understands their pain but shares it as well. This is an attitude he shares with his vice chairman and his wife, who led the Eleme women in solidarity with the Eleme Youth Council to call on the Federal Ministry of Works to hasten the pace of work on the Eleme section of the East-West Road, following the numerous losses of lives, property, and wasted man-hours caused by the failed section of the road.
Emere Gokpa is quick to respond when there is a threat to security. For instance, the issue of child abuse and assaults on residents in Ward 1, as well as violent attacks in Ward 7, received immediate attention, with suspects arrested and victims supported. Without the chairman's physical presence, the situation could have been much worse. He also remains informed about power interruptions, understands the causes, and addresses them promptly. For instance, in communities such as Aleto and Onne, which were facing power shortages, he provided two 500KVA transformers and addressed other issues to boost the area's power supply. He even visited the First Independent Power Plant to negotiate a deal that, once fully implemented, will ensure an uninterrupted power supply in the area.
Mr. Chairman, advised by H.E. Sir Siminalayi Fubara during his swearing-in ceremony at the Brick House in Port Harcourt, has appointed sons and daughters of Eleme into positions of trust. Additionally, he has gone beyond this by placing numerous residents in the area, considered to be in need, on his payroll without discrimination. As part of his empowerment program, he has promised to sponsor out-of-school children whose parents or guardians cannot afford their fees. Recently, he set up a committee, including councillors, to identify those needing financial assistance to sit for the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) examination, enabling them to pursue tertiary education. It would not be a surprise if he grants scholarships to those who excel in the examination. Recently, Mr. Chairman also supported an indigenous footballer from Agbonchia to help him pursue his career in Rwanda, inspiring other youth to work hard and seek recognition and sponsorship, no matter how small.
He has set up a committee to liaise with all the companies in Eleme to ensure that qualified individuals are not deprived of employment, having cautioned the company heads never to treat their host communities with levity.
On sanitation, he consistently evacuates waste across the LGA, and the issue of water supply will also be addressed, especially since the people of Ogale do not have potable water.
Emere Gokpa understands the challenges facing the council, including the need for office and residential accommodation for staff. Since his inauguration, he has begun expanding the staff quarters, which is nearly complete, and he is committed to finishing the Eleme LGA Secretariat in Ogale within nine months.
Although the needs are many, he has a clear blueprint for the development and advancement of the area, as outlined in his five-point agenda, which is already in progress. After all, the journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step, and in a series of steps, even a small step counts. Let the people unite; together, we shall win. Mr. Chairman is hereby congratulated over his one hundred days in office. God bless his administration and Eleme LGA.
Samuel O. Onungwe writes from Ogale