…Indigenes Hail Accord Party Reps Candidate, Edwin Okolie, Over Project Facilitation
By Ikenna Orioha
There was widespread jubilation among the indigenes of Uzoubi-Umuna Autonomous Community in Orlu Local Government Area of Imo State as the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) officially handed over solar streetlights installed in the agrarian and commercially vibrant community.
Speaking at the handover ceremony, the Managing Director of the NDDC, Dr. Samuel Ogbuku, through the Commission’s Imo State representative, Dr. Kyrian Uchegbu, and represented at the event by the project facilitator, Hon. Chibuzor Edwin Okolie, urged the people to protect the facilities against vandalism by unscrupulous individuals.
Okolie, who is the Accord Party (AP) candidate for Orlu/Orsu/Oru East Federal Constituency in the 2027 general elections, said the NDDC was committed to the development of the Niger Delta region, particularly through its Light Up the Niger Delta project.
He assured the people that the Commission would extend more development projects to the community.
Okolie further disclosed that other communities across Orlu/Orsu/Oru East Federal Constituency would also benefit from the NDDC’s solar streetlight initiative and other development projects aimed at strengthening social and economic activities in the area.
While soliciting the people’s support and mandate in the forthcoming election, Okolie pledged to promote job creation, skills empowerment and infrastructural development through effective, equitable and inclusive representation at the House of Representatives.
He expressed gratitude to the NDDC for its efforts in illuminating communities across the Niger Delta region. He also thanked the people of Uzoubi-Umuna for their show of love, confidence and support, noting their pledge to give him overwhelming votes.
Expressing their delight and appreciation to the NDDC and Okolie for facilitating the project, the people, through their President-General, Prof. Michael Obioha Okoro, said the installation of the solar streetlights would improve nighttime visibility, enhance public safety, support commercial activities and make streets and neighbourhoods more accessible after sunset.
The ceremony, held last Saturday at the premises of Central School 2, Umuna, attracted women, men, youths and community leaders, who turned out in large numbers to celebrate the development.
At the event, the people unanimously endorsed Okolie as their preferred candidate for the Orlu/Orsu/Oru East Federal Constituency seat, describing him as a credible contender capable of attracting more development projects to the constituency if elected to the House of Representatives in 2027.
The occasion was further enlivened by a colourful cultural dance performance by women of Uzoubi-Umuna, which added glamour to the ceremony.
Earlier, Okolie, accompanied by a retinue of supporters and Accord Party members, paid a courtesy visit to the traditional ruler of Uzoubi-Umuna, HRM Eze Boniface Okereke, Ubi I of Uzoubi-Umuna, at his palace.
Eze Okereke, who served as the royal father of the day, blessed Okolie and wished him success in the forthcoming election.
