The Minister of Innovation, Science and Technology, Uche Nnaji, had launched a cutting-edge electricity project in Onu-Orie, Obuno Autonomous Community, Akpugo, within Nkanu West Local Government Area of Enugu State.
The multi-million naira project, executed by renowned industrialist Dr. Basil Ogbuanu, promises to transform the community.
Inaugurating the project on Saturday evening, Nnaji assured the community that more people-oriented projects are in the pipeline, focusing on human capital development and employment opportunities.
He emphasised that while he may not have direct financial resources to distribute, he can facilitate projects and infrastructure that positively impact the community.
Notably, Nnaji has already created employment opportunities for over 100 individuals from the Akpugo axis.
The Minister encouraged the community to continue supporting Federal Government programs and policies designed to improve their quality of life.
He said, “I will encourage our people to keep supporting all Federal Government programmes and policies, always designed to make life easier, better and safer for them.
“I want to thank Dr Basil Ogbuanu, Chairman of Second Coming Nigeria Limited, for this 300 KVA transformer, energizing it and doing electricity reticulation of the entire community.
“I want to encourage other wealthy and philanthropic individuals to emulate him as this is a vital support/complement not only to the people but to the government as well in order to hasten up development of the community.”
The minister said that he had noted the complaint of lack of government presence in the community, adding that he would see what he would do to open up major access roads of the community and bring human capital development.
Earlier, Ogbuanu, who is also a Pastor with Mountain of Fire and Miracles Ministries, said that he was motivated to embark on the project to make “an impact in the lives of his people since we are all pilgrims”.
“I want to make impacts and so that when I leave, I will be remembered by the impacts I have made. Not just on building amenities but on the number of lives those amenities touched and changed their socioeconomic status.
“The project will lighten-up all homes in Onu Orie Obuno and provide needed constant electricity for artisans and craftsmen to be meaningfully engaged as well as make a living and be comfortable residing here.
“It is a way of paying back to the society (now my community), as God has blessed and given me grace to excel to the height He placed me today,” he said.
Ogbuanu, who did not disclose the cost of the project, noted that “it is purely for my people and what my people have given to me before now cannot be quantified”.
He called for government presence in the community and the government ensuring that quality education is given to all in order to bridge the gap between the children of the rich and poor.
The Vice Chairman of the community, Chief Chijioke Nwobodo, said that electrification would open up the community commercially as more people would want to open shops and invest in the community.
Nwobodo appreciated Ogbuanu for the gesture as well as the fortune he must have spent to fix electricity in the community and making life more meaningful to the people of the community.
“I will appeal to the Honourable Minister to use his good office to wipe away our tears due to the age of neglect by bringing viable and people-impactful projects and programmes to this community,” the vice chairman said.
