Ilegbenu Declares Environmental Emergency in Idemili South, Unveils Grassroots Development Agenda

By Uzo Ugwunze

The newly inaugurated Mayor of Idemili South Local Government Area, Hon. Oluchukwu John Ilegbenu, has declared an immediate environmental emergency in the council, pledging decisive action against flooding, erosion, blocked waterways, indiscriminate waste disposal and poor environmental sanitation.

Ilegbenu made the declaration in his inaugural address at the Local Government Secretariat, Ojoto, where he unveiled an ambitious development agenda aimed at making Idemili South cleaner, safer, healthier, more productive and prosperous.

Speaking under the administration’s theme, “Idemili South Rising — From the Grassroots to Greatness,” the Mayor said his government would focus on measurable results, accountability, community participation and responsible management of public resources.

He said the council would immediately domesticate the environmental emergency response of the Anambra State Government, while establishing an Idemili South Environmental Emergency Action Committee to coordinate urgent interventions across the various communities.

According to him, the environmental programme will focus on the clearing of drainage channels and waterways, improved waste management, community environmental teams, flood and erosion prevention, stormwater and catchment management, cleaner markets and public spaces, as well as tree planting and community beautification.

“Environmental renewal is an immediate priority of this administration. We will confront the challenges of flooding, erosion, blocked waterways, indiscriminate waste disposal and poor environmental sanitation with urgency and a clear action plan,” Ilegbenu said.

Beyond environmental renewal, the Mayor announced plans for a comprehensive baseline assessment that will serve as the foundation for development planning and budgeting in the council.

The assessment, he said, will cover infrastructure, Primary Health Centres, schools, revenue and economic opportunities, environmental and drainage systems, as well as security.

On healthcare, Ilegbenu pledged to reposition Primary Health Centres as functional first points of care, with particular attention to maternal and child health and the provision of essential medical equipment where required.

The Mayor also promised to assess the condition of schools and identify critical learning needs, noting that his administration would build on his previous interventions in education, including support for WAEC registration and school renovation.

On security, Ilegbenu announced plans to convene a Security Stakeholders Summit involving security agencies, traditional institutions, town unions and community security structures.

He said the administration would strengthen collaboration with the state’s Homeland Security architecture and explore practical measures, including strategic solar street lighting, to improve security and safety across communities.

The Mayor further identified internal roads and drainage as key areas of infrastructure intervention, promising that projects would be prioritised according to need, expected impact and available resources, in partnership with communities and relevant state institutions.

Ilegbenu also pledged to create a more business-friendly environment for traders, artisans, professionals, entrepreneurs and young people.

He said his administration would actively engage the private sector, members of the diaspora, development partners and successful sons and daughters of Idemili South to support sustainable community development.

Reflecting on his previous service as Councillor representing Nnobi Ward 2, Ilegbenu cited several interventions, including the Light-Up Ngo solar streetlight project across 11 roads, support for Umuagu Model Health Centre, WAEC registration sponsorship, school renovation and road interventions, as examples of what could be achieved through effective community-government collaboration.

The Mayor expressed appreciation to the Anambra State Governor, Prof. Charles Chukwuma Soludo, CFR, for providing what he described as a development framework through the Solution Agenda.

He pledged that Idemili South would work to translate the state government’s development agenda into practical results at the grassroots.

Ilegbenu also acknowledged the contributions of the First Lady of Anambra State, Dr. Mrs. Nonye Soludo, particularly in the areas of healthy living, social development and family wellbeing.

He commended his predecessor, Hon. Mrs. Amaka Obi (Iyom Ifeabata), for her contributions to community development, women and youth empowerment.

The new Mayor assured that his administration would consolidate programmes that had delivered results, improve areas requiring attention and introduce new initiatives where gaps existed.

Calling for active citizen participation, Ilegbenu urged residents to support the administration when it performs well and hold it constructively accountable whenever it falls short.

He said Idemili South possesses enormous human, cultural and economic potential, stressing that the success of his administration would ultimately be measured by tangible outcomes rather than promises.

“We will be judged not by promises, but by measurable outcomes. I therefore call on our communities, traditional institutions, town unions, churches, markets, businesses, professionals, youths, women, civil servants and members of the diaspora to become active stakeholders in this journey.”

He concluded:

“Together, we will build a cleaner, safer, healthier, more productive and more prosperous Idemili South. Idemili South is Rising — From the Grassroots to Greatness.”

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