Amby Uneze in Owerri
Desirous to ensure that the Imo electorate enjoy better democracy
dividends, a Non Governmental Organization (NGO) “Development
Dynamics” has conducted a research across 18 communities in the three senatorial zones of Owerri, Orlu and Okigwe where it was able to appreciate the needs, aspirations, demands and positions of the communities, using the community members themselves.
According to the Programme Officer, Dr. Jude Ohanele, the intention of the programme, was to develop a community development charter, otherwise called “Village Book” where all the political needs and aspirations of the communities could easily be sited and drawn without having to run from pillar to post in search of what to present to the duty bearers or elected leaders whenever they are canvassing for votes in the next elections.
The communities were Oforola, Umuoma Nekede, Umuguma, three communities in Ihittee Uboma, Umuokwo, Umuezegwu and Amuro, Eluala Amano and Umulolo in Okigwe LGA where he explained that the essence of the charter was to ensure that indigenous of such communities engage their duty bearers to bring the necessary development to them.
Ohanele noted that the project which is under Strengthening Citizens Engagement Electoral Process (SCEEP) with support from UKAID and Action AID is working in 18 communities across the three senatorial zones of the state to kick start a process where the communities would facilitate and engage their leaders to bring the needed community development.
He posited that the Village Book would enable them to get involved in electoral process arguing that after the bible and Quran, that the most sacred paper is the ballot papers which he said determines the prosperity or poverty of the people.
He therefore urged indigenes of Oforola, Umuoma, Irette and Umuguma Communities to engage their traditional rulers, elected leaders and every other stakeholders to push development to the area.
He further charged them to always work with those in diaspora to draw development to the area as according to him, they are blessed with expendable resources.
