The leadership of Umueri General Assembly (UGA), joined by dozens of prominent community leaders, has petitioned Anambra State government informing it of moves by some members of the community to cause breach of peace, warning that such development may retard development in the area.
The petitioners claimed there are attempts to factionalise UGA leadership.
In a letter signed by 50 community leaders made up of 10 UGA executive members and 40 others, dated July 10, 2023 and addressed to the state Commissioner for Chieftaincy Affairs, the petitioners unanimously passed a vote of confidence on the President General of UGA, Ambassador John Metchie and his deputy, Mr. John Udenze.
They dismissed an alleged vote of no confidence passed on Metchie and his deputy.
In refuting the purported vote of no confidence, the UGA executive members and other community leaders, drew the attention of Anambra State government to the achievements recorded by the UGA leadership since barely one year and three months since that Metchie took over the leadership of the Assembly.
Those that signed the 35-paragraph letter include Prof. Ugugua Ikpeze, Chief Frank Ibegbunam, Chairman, Ikenga Umueri, Elder Justin Uderika Morah, Chairman, Nneyi Umueri, Chief Chuma Nweke and Comrade Chinedu Ekweonu, among others.
The petition reads: “Having carefully reviewed the performance of the leadership of Umueri General Assembly (UGA) in the last one year and two months, we, the Executive and Members of the Assembly hereby pass a vote of Confidence on the President General, Ambassador Dr John Metchie and his Deputy Mr. John Udenze.
“You may wish to recall that Chief John Metchie became the PG of UGA following an overwhelming victory in the election that took place in March 2022 and was officially sworn in April them same year.
“In the last one year and two months of his administration, Umueri has witnessed unprecedented, massive physical and human development as has never been seen in the history of the community and UGA leadership.
“Among areas that have experienced real revolutions are Security which Metchie has used his position as the Deputy Commander General of the Nigeria Hunters and Forest Security Service (NHFSS) to restructure and has also recruited many Umueri youths as members of the Service, who have continued to ensure that the community is safe, all day round.
“This has also enhanced the job of the Umueri Vigilante Network which now works round the clock.
“Also, to make the job of security easier, the Vigilante Network has been provided with walkie talkies, security gadgets, admissible weapons and operational vehicles for intra and inter-community surveillance, leading to better understanding and harmonious relationship with our neighbours, especially Aguleri.
“There are also security hotlines for community members to reach operatives and UGA exco members any time of the day. The leadership of UGA under Chief Metchie has installed CCTV facilities covering all parts of Umueri which has greatly enhanced security of lives and property of our people as well as boosted commerce in the community as people from other parts of the state and Nigeria can now come to Umueri to live and do business.
“The Vigilante team is now having improved and better working relationship with the Police and other security agencies in the state.
“In the area of healthcare, Chief Metchie’s administration has attracted the attention of the state government as never before which led to the rehabilitation and renovation of the Umueri General hospital, deployment of Chief Medical Director, doctors, nurses and other medical personnel to the facility.
“The state Government also inaugurated Dental Clinic at the hospital and deployed a specialist in that field to take charge of the clinic. The UGA administration has constructed the Ikenga New Ultramodern Market which consists of 600 units of lock-up shops, industrial borehole system for portable water, expansive parking lot, police station post, multi-purpose meeting halls, modern public toilet facilities, fire service station, access roads and drainage system. The project promises to be a major boost to trade and commerce in Umueri
“Metchie initiated the Health Insurance card for the 14 elders Health is wealth. The cost of quality healthcare and medicine is quite expensive and almost inaccessible by the less privileged which informed the desire of the administration to help the aged in the community.”
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