On Wednesday, Abia's Okezie Ikpeazu announced that he would immediately give the Ukwa West Local Government Area N30 million for the Asa Electricity Project that he had earlier pledged.
According to news sources, this was stated in a statement released in Aba and signed by the governor's chief press secretary, Onyebuchi Ememanka.
During a meeting with Ukwa West LGA representatives who paid him a solidarity visit in Aba, the governor revealed this.
Ikpeazu promised that the funds would be transferred to their accounts as soon as the meeting on Wednesday was over.
He tasked them with completing the project by the end of September so that people of Ukwa West LGA may have access to a dedicated source of electricity.
Ikpeazu additionally disclosed that he had given the contractor in charge of the Uratta-Umuozuo-Umuekechi-Obokwe-Ugwati road money.
The first section of the project, which encompassed Uratta to Umuekechi, had been finished, the governor informed them.
He announced that the second phase of the project from Umuekechi to Ugwati will start on August 22 and that it would continue until it was finished.
Therefore, he gave the locals the responsibility of owning the project and working with the contractor.
Ikpeazu also gave the LGA assurances that the nomination of an Abia State native as the substantive Chairman of the Abia State Oil Producing Areas Development Commission would be announced by the government soon (ASOPADEC).
He explained to the delegation that he postponed the appointment so that all pertinent matters could be properly handled before the announcement.
He emphasised that only Asa's sons and daughters could be chosen as ASOPADEC's chairman, and he gave them the responsibility of working with whoever is chosen.
They were informed by Ikpeazu that the Enyimba Economic City Project was still the boldest economic development initiative in the entire South East of Nigeria.
According to him, Afrexim Bank contributed $150 million to the project, and the Federal Government gave the Sovereign Wealth Fund administration of its 20% ownership stake.
The governor said another crucial meeting on the project would hold in Barbados soon where he would require an indigene of Ukwa West to accompany him.
He urged the leaders and people of Ukwa West to remain steadfast in their support for the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and vote for the it in 2023 elections.
The leader of the delegation, Chief Don Ubani, told the governor that the people of Ukwa West LGA were fully behind the PDP in the 2023 elections.
He thanked Ikpeazu for the release of the funds for the Asa Electricity Project and assured him that the funds would be judiciously used for quick completion of the project.
He told the governor that Asa people had adopted him as their sole candidate for the Senatorial seat in 2023.
He also said a motion for that was moved by the member representing Ukwa West State Constituency at the State Assembly, Mr Goddy Adiele.
Those present at the meeting were the Executive Chairman of Ukwa West LGA, Chief Okey Kanu, Commissioner for Environment, Mr Sam Nwogu, and Mr Chinedum Elechi.
Others who were part of the delegation includes Mr Ralph Egbu, Mr Tony Mezie – Nwaubani and Mr Henry Chilaka.