The Executive Chairman of Udu Local Government Council, Olorogun Vincent Ogheneruemu Oyibode, has presented a two-year stewardship report, highlighting achievements in infrastructure, security, healthcare, education, agriculture and youth empowerment.
Oyibode unveiled the scorecard on Wednesday during a well-attended ceremony at the Udu Local Government Council Secretariat, Otor-Udu, where government officials, political leaders, traditional rulers, community stakeholders, party members and residents gathered to review the administration’s performance.
Representing Delta State Governor, Rt. Hon. Sheriff Oborevwori, the Chief of Staff, Government House, Prince Johnson Erijo, described local government councils as the tier of government closest to the grassroots and pivotal to community development.
Erijo expressed satisfaction with the performance of local government councils across the state, noting that their projects and programmes were complementing the implementation of Governor Oborevwori’s MORE Agenda.
He commended the Udu council chairman, councillors and the leadership of the council for what he described as prudent management of public resources, dedication to service and commitment to delivering projects that directly benefit residents.
Presenting his stewardship report, Oyibode said his administration had recorded significant progress over the past two years through the execution of people-oriented projects designed to improve living standards and promote sustainable development.
According to him, the administration has completed and commenced several infrastructure projects, including the construction and furnishing of the Executive Chairman’s Office Complex and the Council Chapel, the ongoing construction of the Chairman’s Residential Quarters, rehabilitation of the council secretariat’s plumbing system, replacement of damaged roofing sheets, installation of solar power facilities and procurement of laptops and printers for strategic offices.
He also highlighted the construction of the Nigeria Union of Local Government Employees (NULGE) Shopping Mall, which he said would stimulate commercial activities, improve staff welfare, create business opportunities and boost the council’s internally generated revenue.
On security, the chairman disclosed that construction of a modern Divisional Police Headquarters and residential quarters for police officers in Otor-Udu was progressing steadily. He added that the council had sustained campaigns against drug abuse and cultism to strengthen peace and security across the local government area.
Oyibode said the administration had also carried out emergency repairs on the Udu-ECN Road using concrete pavement, cleared the Electricity Company of Nigeria/Benin Electricity Distribution Company power line corridor from Ovwodokpokpor (Egini) through Orhuwhorun to improve electricity supply, installed a transformer in Egini Community and undertaken the desilting of major canals and drainage channels to address flooding.
In agriculture, he said the council was constructing a modern Farmers’ Market at the Council Farm in Ubogo, while fencing works at the farm were ongoing to enhance agricultural production and rural commerce. He added that the administration was also constructing the Ujevwu Community Town Hall to promote community development and social cohesion.
Speaking on education, Oyibode said the council had engaged 34 teachers across the 17 Adult Education Centres in Udu Local Government Area to strengthen adult education and human capital development.
He said the administration had enhanced primary healthcare delivery through improved immunisation services, maternal and child healthcare programmes, health education campaigns and partnerships with the Delta State Primary Health Care Development Agency, the World Health Organization (WHO), UNICEF and other development partners.
According to him, the initiatives have improved access to healthcare services, increased immunisation coverage, strengthened disease prevention and enhanced environmental sanitation across the council area.
The chairman also listed achievements in peacebuilding and governance, including the resolution of community leadership and land disputes, prompt payment of workers’ salaries and entitlements, cordial Executive-Legislative relations and the successful resolution of the Udu traditional leadership question, culminating in the establishment of the Udu Council of Chiefs and the installation of His Royal Majesty, Engr. Mike Ogheneovo Orhugbo, JP, Okporua I, as the second Ovie of Udu Kingdom.
He further disclosed that the council had settled several inherited contractual and administrative liabilities and sustained youth empowerment programmes, with more than 150 youths serving on government committees receiving monthly stipends while others were appointed into strategic committees.
Among dignitaries at the event were the Delta State Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, Hon. Kelly Penawou, government officials, political leaders, traditional rulers and other stakeholders, who commended the council chairman for his developmental initiatives and commitment to improving the welfare of the people of Udu.
