Ogbaru indigenes plan summit to draw govt attention to challenges, opportunities in area

Indigenes of Ogbaru Local Government Area of Anambra State have come together to organize a summit to draw the attention of government to the  challenges and opportunities in the area.

The summit which would hold on October 4 is geared towards driving prosperity to the area.

In a press statement is issued by the media arm of the Ogbaru Economic Summit Project with the theme “Ogbaru Economic Summit “Driving Sustainable Economic Development in Ogbaru: Our Road to Prosperity”, THE RAZOR was told that the event would happen at Hollywood events centre in Awka.

In the statement, the group said: “Ogbaru Local Government Area (LGA) was created on the 27 May 1989 and the sixth ranked most populated among the twenty-one Local Government Areas in Anambra State of Nigeria.

“It comprises fifteen indigenous communities and the Okpoko community (Harbour Industrial Layout inclusive). Ogbaru Local Government Area has a Federal Constituency in the Anambra North senatorial Zone with two State House of Assembly Constituencies (Ogbaru I and Ogbaru II) hosting sixteen Electoral Wards and three hundred and eighty three Polling Units.

“As an agrarian community, Ogbaru Local Government is a host to edible fish, yams, cassava, potatoes, maize, palm oil, ụgwụ (pumpkin), pepper, okra, garden egg, melon, rice, scent leaf and many others.

“The fora and fauna from Atani, through Amiyi, down to Ogwu-Aniocha and Ogwu-Ikpele is a home to different species of trees and animal life.

“Our waterways criss-cross the entire length and breath of the fifteen communities imbuing them with a unique coastal lifestyle and having boundaries with Ogbaru communities in Rivers State, Delta State and Anambra State.

“Ogbaru has rich industrial base at the Harbour Industrial Layout Okpoko with various markets dotting the entire landscape and dealing on various materials and wares.

“But the icing on the cake is the large reservoir of oil deposits of eight oil wells, out of twelve in the state, located under the belly of our two communities yet to begin to enjoy the benefits of the ongoing oil exploration despite her contribution of 13% oil revenue to the coffers of the state government.”

The group said the summit would be attended by Governor Chukwuma Soludo, and would x-ray the strengths, opportunities as well as the weaknesses and threats to their communities regarding economic development.

It said: “It is unique because this is the very first time Ndi Ogbaru, from Okpoko to Ossomala and further to Ogwu Aniocha / Ikpele from a non-partisan approach saw the need to come together and rub minds to specifically address the critical economic challenges bedeviling the area and unlock the vast potential of Ogbaru Local Government Area.”