Interestingly, Umuihugba Umuodu autonomous community in Owerri Municipal Local Government Area of Imo State is wearing a beautiful look with businesses and social activities being boosted and insecurity very much reduced.
The feat is due to the Niger Delta Development Commission ,NDDC sponsored Solar street Lights that now illuminates the entire community which was attracted by a visionary, fair, astute politician and illustrious son of Umuihugba community, a Special Adviser to Imo state Governor on Urban Development, Hon. CDB Williams..
The NDDC Solar Lights which are 229 in number are neatly and evenly fixed in the entire streets in the area : Ihugba , Amaram Streets /Amaram Extension, Christ Church Road (extending to the Market), Kagha Street, Odor Street, Chikwere Street, Mbaise Road (from Fire Service to Douglas), Parts of Tetlow Road, Zanders, Madumere, Njiribeako and Oparaugo Streets.
All the dark sports within the neighbourhood, the town hall, health centre, traditional meeting places (Obi) of all the five villages of the autonomous community (Umunwagbara, Umuajemo, Umudike, Umuchuduo, Umummiri and parts of Umuihugba Layout) are all covered.
Speaking to journalists in his residence in Owerri Municipal, Hon. Williams hinted that the feat was a healthy partnership between the NDDC in its “Light Up the Niger Delta” Program, Umuihugba community, and Imo State in general.
He explained that these Solar Lights come up by 7pm and go off by 6:30 Am, aiding security, enhancing social and economic activities in the community.
He also stated that the lights expose criminals who have now reduced their criminal activities, warranting people to do their business up till late in the night.
“POS operators are very relaxed now; operating till late evenings just as other business persons in the area.”
Williams emphasised that the light project will add impetus to the vision of Governor Hope Uzodinma on security, having earlier directed all the over 700 autonomous communities in Imo State to set up Vigilante Groups that would be well equipped to battle issues of insecurity in the communities so as to sustain peace.
“The provision of these Solar Lights that come up by 7 pm and go off by 6: 30 am have become one of the most effective tools against crime as night marauders can easily be picked from any distance within the community as all the dark spots are fully lit by the illumination of the solar lights”, he added.
Williams who has shown resilience and capacity in leadership and politics having attracted good things to the community such as the Umuihugba Health Center, tarring and drainage of the hitherto unpaved portion of Amaram Street, under Governor Hope Uzodinma’s “five Kilometres per Local Government Road program” and other developmental projects within Owerri Municipal Local Government. thanked the NDDC, the Governor of Imo State and President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for initiating the “Light Up the Niger Delta” programme which he said is impacting richly on indigenes and residents of Umuihugba community which he believes is among the first communities to have benefited.
He urged the people and residents of Umuihugba, Umuodu community to continue to support the policies and programmes of the APC led administrations at all levels as they carry out their economic and social activities, feeling safe and relaxed, assuring them that the 3R administration championed by the Governor would leave no stone unturned in fully implementing its urban Development and Renewal policies geared towards
