The immediate past chairman of Isoko North Local Government Council of Delta State, Hon. Emmanuel Egbabor, says his six years stay as council chairman recorded good governance and people-oriented projects across the council.

Egbabor stated that despite the current economic challenges in the country, his administration ensures that the salaries of council workers were paid up to date and debt inherited from previous government to financial institution was fully paid up.

The former council chairman, who hinged successes recorded during his reign to the support of Governor Ifeanyi Okowa and other leaders in the local government, noted that his administration was prudent and spent meagre resources on projects that directly affected the people of the area. 
Egbabor spoke on Saturday at  Urude Community Hall, Ozoro during a civic reception organised  by Urude Community Elite, Urude Edion in Council, Egwe-Eya, Urude Community Youths, Iletus, and Urude community, Ozoro Progress Union OPU’s Executive in his honour for successful completion of tenure in office. 
 
Egbabor admitted that owing to the circumstances in which Councils operated within the last six years, it was difficult to pay salaries and carry out several infrastructural projects. 

He, however, observed that despite the circumstances his government delivered on his campaign promises by embarking on people oriented projects that directly touched the lives of the people. 
 
“But with the support of our amiable Governor, Senator Dr Ifeanyi Okowa, we were able to clear all salary arrears and embarked on some life changing projects”, he stated. 
 
Giving account of his stewardship, Egbabor said “Our administration rehabilitated and graded roads across the local government area, renovated abbatoirs in Ozoro, Owhelogbo and built markets in Ozoro, Ofagbe, renovated markets in Otibio and Owhelogbo. Provided water projects in Akiewhe-Owhe and Ellu, medical equipment at Oghenerurie healthcare centre, Iyede, remedial work at Okpe road.

“I am happy that I was found worthy to serve and am glad I served well to be honoured in this grand reception by my community. 
 
“Our administration performed well despite the economic challenges we had. I apologise to all those I couldn’t attend to by the grace of God, God will provide another opportunity to attend to you all. 
 
“We had free eye treatment for more than 2500 persons and surgery 141 persons in 2015 and  2017 for the first and second phases. I am happy because God has used us to touch lives, to heal people where a young girl of 17 years old who had lost her sight from birth received her sight in 2015. 
 

“We paid salaries up to date, we built Akperio market and the first ever permanent health centre in Ozoro that can accommodate 30 beds, female/children ward, male ward, delivery room, and consulting rooms, drug and laboratory room among others.

“I’m happy that this has been brought to fruition and commissioned because it will help to reduce pressure on the General Hospital Ozoro.” 
 
The former Isoko North Council boss said during his tenure, he influenced the establishment of Police Area Command in Ozoro, the construction of Old Ozoro-Oleh Road with others, resurfacing of NDC Road Ozoro and the ongoing fencing of Igbonine Grammar School by DESOPADEC.
 
He urged the people to support the candidates of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in the forthcoming Delta council elections slated for March 6. 
 
In his welcoming remark, Chairman of Urude Elites Forum, Chief Sunday Ejemite, said the forum organised the reception for Egbabor in recognition of his outstanding performance as Chairman of Isoko North Council. 

Ejemite said the people of Urude are proud of the ex-council chairman and commended member representing Isoko Federal Constituency at the House of Representatives, Rt Hon. Leo Ogor for his support. 

“He is a proud son of Urude and Ozoro and we are happy he led the Council for two terms with the assistance of our great leader, Rt Hon Leo Ogor. 
 
“We appreciate God for all he achieved while in office and I can state without any equivocation that he is a true leader worthy of any greater assignment,” he stated. 
 
The event was attended by many dignitaries including the immediate past chairman of Ughelli North, Hon. Godwin Adode; Managing Director of DESOPADEC, Bashorun Askia Ogieh, represented by the Director of Project Monitoring  Engr Ifoghale Aluta; Chairman Isoko South PDP Chief Godspower Obaro; former Chairman of the Council Mr Samuel Idise and Vice Chairmanship candidate of the PDP in Isoko North, Chief Frank Ozue, Engr. Peter Odunwa, members of Isoko North Equity Movement among others.
 
The ceremony featured dances from the Opiri dance band of Ozoro and Palm Wine Club of Ozoro as well as presentation of gifts to Hon. Egbabor.