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By Madu Obi
Stakeholders from various political divides in Ogbaru region of Anambra State, at the weekend, buried their differences to chart a course for a holistic development of the area.
For the first time, such politicians like Senator Stella Oduah of the Peoples Democratic Party, Honorable Afam Ogene of the Labour Party who represents the area in the House of Representatives, Chu Onyema of the PDP who represented the area in the green chambers, Dr Somtochukwu Udeze of All Progressives Grand Alliance, APGA, who is the speaker of the state House of Assembly, among others, discussed about their area in a convivial atmosphere for the progress of Ogbaru.
Ogbaru, which is located on the bank of the River Niger experiences one of the worst flooding in the country, thus disrupting social and economic activities in the area every year.
Although it shares boundary with the commercial city of Onitsha, and boasts of oil deposits, Ogbaru is among the least developed areas of Anambra State, which perhaps informed the people's decision to hold Ogbaru Economic Summit 2024 with who is who in the area in attendance.
Udeze, who was the chief host, observed that with all hands on deck, Ogbaru could become an economic hub of the state.
He said: "We believe in the potentials of Ogbaru. The challenges we face as a people can spur us to unite and overcome those challenges and it is impossible to overlook the potentials we have.
There are environmental and economic opportunities in every community in Ogbaru for agricultural economic growth. The oil deposits at Ogwu Ikpele and Ogwu Aniocha , if properly harnessed, can develop not just Ogbaru, but Anambra as a whole. The strategic waterways in Ogbaru can be tapped to boost the economy of the area.
Also, flooding, which some people consider as a challenge can be transformed into an opportunity in the magnitude Lagos State has achieved with its coastal areas."
The traditional ruler of Omor in Ayamelum local government area of the state, Igwe Chris Oranu , who was chairman of the summit, expressed optimism that with unity, Ogbaru people can achieve so much.
He said: "There are things we can do to turn around our places. Between Onitsha and Ogbaru, there's so much gap in terms of development. Okpoko , which is very close to Onitsha is a slum. The question is, why this disparity? .
God blessed Ogbaru people with human and material resources. Let anything that concerns Ogbaru be your interest. I give kudos to Ogbaru for defending the area and I want you to own your place.
If you leave security of your area only in the hands of conventional people, you won't succeed. Let Ogbaru have security trust fund in which all stakeholders should contribute."
He also urged Ogbaru people to devote a day for the people to come together to celebrate their rich culture once every year.
In her keynote speech, Senator Stella Oduah said she is very passionate about Ogbaru because the people are special. "In the midst of poverty, Ogbaru people are contented. But those things appear to be eluding us today. Ogbaru people are a special breed, but we need to enhance the good things we have. Economic challenges and civilization are creating problems for us.
The yearly flood nurtures our land because when the flood goes, it deposits nutrients on our soil. But the flood comes early and so we need hybrid crops that can mature before the flood cones.
We have to go the extra mile to overcome the challenges. We need a policy that will enhance the oil prospect of Ogbaru and an enabling environment for agriculture to thrive.
In 1982, Ogbaru was gazetted as an oil community and so it's an oil settlement. So Ogbaru is entitled to federal government intervention as it is done for other oil bearing states. It's the responsibility of the state government put this in the front burner," Senator Oduah said.
Governor Chukwuma Soludo, who spoke through Mrs Chiamaka Nnake, the Commissioner for Finance, commended Ogbaru people for the initiative and advised other local government areas of the state to organize similar summits to chart a way of developing their areas.
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