– By Ken Efeh
Mr Chiedu Ebie, Chairman, Governing Board of the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC), has been described as the most impactful politician in Ika Land in terms of infrastructure provision, youth empowerment, grassroot mobilization and socio-economic empowerment of the people.
Speaking at a recent event in Agbor, the political headquarters of Ika Federal Constituency, Delta state, Honourable John Aleh, a grassroot politician in Ika North-East Local Government Area of the State and Special Assistant to the NDDC’s Governing Board Chairman extolled his unrelenting efforts in repositioning the Ika Federal Constituency in terms of infrastructure, including the recent delivery of 30 500Kva electricity transformers he (Ebie) attracted from the NDDC to the area.
Another grassroots politician from the Federal Constituency, Jude Palmer also spoke in the same vein.
According to Aleh, “it is a heartwarming development that barely one week after the people of Ika Federal constituency, comprising two local government areas – Ika North-east and Ika South, all situated in Delta North Senatorial District, joyously took delivery of 20 out of the 30 500KVA electricity transformer attracted by Ebie, my boss has ensured the prompt delivery of the remaining ten, bringing the number to 30”
Aleh told journalists that he is not alone in characterizing Ebie as the most impactful politician in Ika Land in terms of infrastructure provision, youth friendliness, grassroot mobilization and socio-economic empowerment of the people, as Agbor residents who recently witnessed the delivery of the transformer share the same sentiment given their immense gratitude to the NDDC boss for his magnanimity and love for his people.
Recall that Agbor indigenes and residents had hailed Ebie as a promise keeper and decent public office holder upon delivering of the transformers.
While noting that it was indeed a new dawn for the Ika nation, Aleh stressed that from Ebie’s day as Delta state Commissioner for Basic and Secondary Education, he has always distinguished himself, insisting that the Ika nation is wearing a new look today because of Ebie’s intervention in solar powered street lights. “Life, especially night life has returned to the whole of Ika Federal Constituency as Ebie has lit up the whole area”, Aleh said.
For his part, Palmer from Ika South Local Government Area noted that Ebie has demonstrated unwavering commitment to the service of his people from day one by realising that the infrastructural needs of the Ika nation was at stake and quickly gave a clear direction to re-navigate it to an enviable pedestal.
This particular feat, Palmer added, has made Ebie the most celebrated and formidable grassroot politician in Ika Federal Constituency whose influence and impacts have reshaped infrastructural development in communities therein, extending even beyond Delta state to Edo states.
Palmer: “Any part of Ika nation tone traverses today, Chiedu Ebie’s visionary leadership speak volumes and his excellent strides recognized with accolades for diligence, honesty and even distribution of infrastructure, that echoes aloud of a selfless young man who has prioritized the well-being and welfare of his constituency; a political and cultural landscape that comprises Ika South and Ika North-East Local Government Areas.
“Today, so many of these communities can’t hide how excited they are about Ebie’s impact in their lives. They are simply overwhelmed with joy and excitement going by the various live-impacting projects brought to their domain by the NDDC under his watch. They are glad to tell the remarkable story of Chiedu Ebie’s pivotal role in advancing infrastructure and contributing in no small measure to the political and socio-economic progress of their people.
“What a season of excitement and a moment for all Ika people to feel proud, especially as a people, who for decades, unlike other Local Government Areas have never had it this good on any project from NDDC. Chiedu Ebie has changed that sad narrative, wrote Ika in permanent gold ink with developmental projects scattered everywhere and continued to make us proud’’.
Speaking further, Palmer said: “No time has the spreading of dividends of democracy to the grassroot in the nooks and crannies of Ika nation been this massive, where communities that hitherto have been without electricity, link roads, good drinking water, schools, hospitals and Police stations for many years are now liberated from the shackles of neglect’’.