In a historic and heartfelt engagement, the Chairman of Ndokwa West Local Government Area, Hon. Chief (Dr.) Goddey Obi Nzete, warmly received a delegation from Igbe Ogume community, ably led by Mr. Alaska Ekele, Chairman of the Community Development Committee (CDC), during a courtesy call held on Wednesday, June 4, 2025, at the council secretariat in Kwale.
Speaking on behalf of the Igbe Ogume community, Mr. Alaska Ekele, Chairman of the Community Development Committee (CDC), expressed deep appreciation to the council chairman for his visible transformation of the local government since assuming office. He commended Hon. Nzete’s leadership, describing the council’s facelift over the past five years as commendable and inspiring.
Mr. Ekele, however, drew attention to key challenges facing the community. These include the absence of a drainage system on Ogbe Aweka Street, which becomes flooded and impassable during the rainy season; a non-functional health centre built in 2020 through EU funding, which remains unequipped and without staff; and the deteriorating wooden bridges along the Ogume/Emu Road, a 12.5-kilometre link crucial for accessing farmlands and connecting to the Kwale-Ozoro expressway. He also highlighted the financial burden of maintaining the community vigilante team for security and the shortage of teachers at Igbe Primary School, which led the community to employ and fund seven teachers since 2020. He appealed to the chairman for prompt intervention on these matters, stating that any support rendered would have a lasting impact on the lives of the people. Mr. Ekele reaffirmed the community’s readiness to partner with the local government and concluded by thanking the council for their time and anticipated support.
Other members of the delegation included:
Chief John Azudoni Onotu-Uku’s spokesman
Chief Sunday Okekonum
Chief Joseph Ngwei
Chief Augustine Otuya
Chief Edwin Obi
Chief Ernest Odibe
Mrs. Oshile Patience
Mrs. Ogene Eunice
Mrs. Juliana Ita
In his remarks, Hon. Nzete thanked the delegation for their visit and kind words, describing the meeting as timely and constructive. He reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to inclusive development and promised to do all within the council’s capacity to support the people of Igbe Ogume.
On the health centre issue, the Chairman advised the community to formally write to the council requesting a takeover of the facility, after which appropriate steps would be initiated to operationalize it.
Regarding the drainage request, Hon. Nzete directed the Council’s Works Department to conduct a scoping and technical assessment of the affected areas in the community. He also assured the delegation that matters concerning the road and wooden bridges would be critically examined in line with available resources and priorities.
In his concluding remarks, the chairman emphasized his administration’s openness to dialogue and partnership, promising to maintain ongoing communication with the community to ensure that their needs are progressively addressed.
The visit ended on a positive note, with both parties reaffirming their commitment to grassroots development and community well-being.
~Obi Nzete Media
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