Victor EzejaTo tackle the perennial problem of electricity and security, some illustrious sons of Ogbe Owelle under the auspices of Odinma Ogbe Owelle in Ojoto, have rallied to install solar power and CCTV cameras at strategic points in the village.
Ogbe Owelle is a quarter in Ireh village of Ojoto town, headquarters of Idemili South Local Government Area of Anambra State.
The group consists of four illustrious sons of Ogbe Owelle, namely Messrs Jamike Okigbo, Kenneth Ezeadichie, Patrick Ogechukwu Okigbo III and Jude Ochili.
According to Jude Ochili in a signed statement about the initiative, the group was formed to identify the challenges of the village and see what can be done to tackle them.
Ochili, also known as Ikemba, stated that the members of the group agreed that on a yearly basis they would raise funds to execute an impactful project for the immediate community of Ogbe Owelle, and started with the challenge of electricity and security this year.
“We sat down and agreed that on a yearly basis, we must agree on an impactful project for our immediate community of Ogbe Owelle starting this year 2022. We looked at critical areas that will impact our people and agreed to start with electricity and security.
“Consequently, we resolved to kick off with sustainable rural electrification leveraging renewable energy. This gave birth to the idea of Solar Electrification of key Ogbe Owelle roads,” Ochili stated.
The group identified two major roads and five ancillary roads that inter-connect Ogbe Owelle and agreed to ensure that electricity passes through all of them.
He disclosed that due to huge cost implications, they decided to split the electrification and security projects into two phases.
According to him, phase I of the project include:
Electrification of the two major roads (Umuoji Boundary with Ojoto down to Ireh Hall on one side and the road leading to Eke Ojoto on the other).
“These two major roads required 42 solar lights for full electrification. We decided to light up the Health Center located at Akabo by deploying three solar lights there.
“We agreed to leverage technology in tackling the menace of insecurity. As a result, we have mounted state-of-the-art wireless CCTV cameras at strategic locations in Ogbe Owelle,” Ochili disclosed.
For the second phase of the project, Ochili, a banker, said it would involve ensuring that all the ancillary roads in Ogbe Owelle are electrified. “These roads include the following among others:
- Ebiebi link road to Ezioye
- Ichie Iyasele Road to St. Odilia’s Junction
- Ichie Ogbunechendo Junction leading up to Ngo Owelle
- Akukalia Road
- Ama Awija Junction leading up to Local Government Junction.”
He hinted that the security fortification of Ogbe Owelle is subsumed in Phase II of the project.
Speaking further on the goal of the group, he said they were also working towards creating a sustainable empowerment programme for, especially the youth in the area.
“A major work of our group is in the area of sustainable empowerment of our teeming youths.
“Once we get to this stage, we will reel out criteria for qualification and other modalities for implementation.
“We look forward to welcoming new members from Ogbe Owelle into our group as long as they have the will and passion to assist the less-privileged.”
Victor Ezeja is a passionate journalist with six years of experience writing on economy, politics and energy. He holds a Masters degree in Mass Communication.
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