Ukwa East Mayor, Akara Vows to End Vandalism, Restore Electricity, Secure Homes, Tar Road, Rehabilitate Schools, Ensure Lasting Peace in Ohuru

Ukwa East Mayor, Akara Vows to End Vandalism, Restore Electricity, Secure Homes, Tar Road, Rehabilitate Schools, Ensure Lasting Peace in Ohuru

The Executive Chairman/Mayor of Ukwa East Local Government Area of Abia State, Hon. Pastor Chibunna Akara, has vowed to end vandalism, restore electricity supply, secure homes, tar Ohuru Road—which he has already graded—rehabilitate schools and ensure lasting peace in Ohuru community.

He made this known during the Ohuru Day Celebration, held at Ohuru Central School on Friday, December 26, 2025.

Speaking after the presentation of a Bible and a classy giant glass portrait to him by the executive of Ohuru Development Union (ODU) as well as decoration with a wrapper in recognition of his remarkable leadership of Ukwa East LGA and unwavering commitment to peace and development of Ohuru, the visibly elated Mayor of Ukwa East LGA, Hon. Pastor Chibunna Akara burst into songs of praise to God, repeatedly singing the popular Igbo gospel song “Ezi Chineke di Nma.”

Thereafter, he quoted several Bible passages, including Psalms 34:1, 92:1 and 103:1–3, giving glory to God, whom he described as the reason for their gathering and the honour bestowed on him.

Hon. Akara thanked the traditional rulers, elders, women, youths and the entire people of Ohuru for their overwhelming support, describing the event as a fulfilment of God’s purpose.

He noted that he is not a stranger in Ohuru, stressing that he was born and raised in the community and understands its problems without being told.

“I am a grassroots man. There is no month or week you will not see me in this village. I know Ohuru very well and I know the problems of our people. One of my prayers has always been that God should send me to deliver Ohuru, and God has answered that prayer,” he said.

The Mayor spoke extensively on the long-standing problem of vandalization of electricity infrastructure, which he described as one of the major reasons Ohuru had remained in darkness for years, despite previously supplying electricity to other Ndoki communities.

He lamented that electric wires and installations were repeatedly vandalized by criminals, plunging the community into prolonged blackout and stalling development, stressing that the situation must no longer be tolerated.

“We used to have light in Ohuru, but thieves vandalised our wires and threw us into darkness for a very long time. Today, I am making a public statement. If you go back to your villages, hold meetings and caution your children and brothers to stop vandalizing our electricity facilities,” he warned.

Hon. Akara disclosed that electricity had already reached the high-tension line in Ohuru, assuring the people that plans were underway to step it down and restore power supply fully.

“As I speak to you today, there is light on the high-tension line in Ohuru. Very soon, we will step it down. But we cannot spend millions of naira to restore light and fold our arms to watch criminals vandalize it again,” he stated.

He further revealed that firm security measures had been put in place to protect public infrastructure, adding that security agencies and local vigilantes had been directed to monitor electricity installations and other critical assets.

While stressing that his administration was not interested in witch-hunting, he made it clear that vandalism would no longer be condoned, regardless of who was involved.

“I kept quiet before now because I did not want anybody to say I was using my people to set an example. But going forward, there will be no mercy for vandals. This is for our collective good,” he said.

The Mayor also expressed deep concern over the rising cases of vandalization of private houses, especially those belonging to Ohuru indigenes living outside the community and abroad.

He revealed that several houses had been broken into, with valuable items such as generators, electrical fittings, doors, windows, furniture and other building materials stolen and sold cheaply.

“Nobody will be happy to struggle, buy cement, rods, zinc and other materials to build a house in the village, only for criminals to come and destroy it. Even if it has not happened to my house, I will not close my eyes and watch it happen to others,” he said.

Hon. Akara called on traditional rulers, community leaders and religious leaders to combine traditional, moral and government-backed measures to address the problem, emphasizing that security is everybody’s responsibility.

On his promises to the people, the Mayor assured that beginning from the coming year, his administration would prioritize full restoration of electricity to Ohuru, strengthen community security to protect lives and properties, tar Ohuru Road, improve primary and secondary schools and making them more attractive to teachers, protect public and private infrastructure, sustain peace, unity and development across the community.

He appealed passionately for peace, love and unity, stressing that development can only thrive in a peaceful environment.

Hon. Akara concluded by commending Governor Alex Chioma Otti (OFR) for his transformational leadership in Abia State and urged the people of Ohuru to continue supporting his administration for greater dividends of democracy.