*Gov promises implementation
The seven-man committee on the creation of autonomous communities in Enugu State on Wednesday submitted its report to Gov. Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi, recommending 353 new autonomous communities.
The committee which was inaugurated on September 13, was saddled with the responsibilities of developing the template, evaluating applications and recommending applicant communities for autonomous community status.
Submitting the report at the Government House, Enugu, the Chairman of the Committee, Prof. Felix Asogwa, disclosed that 716 applications were received from different communities across the 17 Local Government Areas of the state.”
He added that the committee did its best to ascertain the level of support for the demand for autonomy by community members and the extent of contiguity of the component units.
He explained thay the demand for autonomous communities included the need to chart developmental agenda at smaller units and the desire for Igwe title by some individuals.
He stated that “at the end of the evaluation of the applications and the community tours about 583 communities were found to be recommendable, while 133 were found not to be recommendable on account of internal disputes and other limitations.
According to him: “From the 583 recommendable, we still pruned the list down on account of some of these communities being located within the same geographical zone.
“To ensure equity and fairness, selected communities from these areas with better features were finally recommended. This brought the number of recommended communities to 353.”
Receiving the report, Gov. Ugwuanyi commended the committee for their diligence and timely completion of their assignment.
He stated that his administration will commence implementation of the report, adding that the in-coming administration of Dr. Peter Ndubuisi Mbah will continue from where it stops.
He stressed that peace and development are the pillars behind the planned creation of more autonomous communities in the state and urged members of the communities that applied to promote peace, unity and progress in their respective areas.
Members of the committee present at the event were Dr. Eric Oluedo, Barr. Anayo Enechukwu, Prof. Ngozi Ejionueme, Prof. Sam Ugwu and Mrs. Josephine Onyia who served as the secretary, while Prof. Ikenna Omeje is presently out of the country.
Also present at the event were the Deputy Governor, Hon. Mrs. Cecilia Ezeilo, the Leader of the State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Ikechukwu Ezeugwu, the Secretary to the State Government, Prof. Simon Uchenna Ortuanya, the Commissioner for Chieftaincy Affairs, Dr. Charles Egumgbe, his Budget and Planning counterpart, Dr. David Ugwunta.
