Governor Peter Mbah
Olarinde Idowu
The people of Affa in Udi Local Government Area of Enugu State, under the aegis of the Affa Achala Ukwu Group, have commended Governor Peter Mbah for his efforts in securing the release of residents who were recently abducted by suspected kidnappers.
The successful rescue has brought relief to the affected families and the wider community, many of whom had endured days of anxiety and uncertainty. The community said the governor’s intervention demonstrated the government’s commitment to protecting the lives and wellbeing of its citizens.
While appreciating the governor’s efforts, Chief James Nnebedum Ibe appealed to the state government to fulfil its promises to Ndi Affa, particularly in the areas of security, infrastructure and the provision of basic social amenities.
Ibe identified the poor condition of roads linking communities within Affa as one of the major challenges confronting residents.
According to him, the deteriorating road network has affected economic and social activities while leaving some areas isolated and potentially vulnerable to criminal activities.
He therefore urged the state government to urgently rehabilitate roads across Affa and ensure that they remain accessible, especially at night.
He noted that improved roads would not only facilitate transportation and boost economic activities but would also enable security agencies to respond more quickly to emergencies and security threats.
Speaking on behalf of Affa Achala Ukwu Ezumezu, Peter Amadiozonwu, popularly known as Ezeudene España, expressed concern over inadequate electricity supply and the lack of functional streetlights in several parts of the community.
He said many communities are plunged into darkness at night, creating an atmosphere of fear and potentially exposing residents to criminal activities.
Amadiozonwu called for the urgent provision of reliable electricity and functional streetlights across Affa, stressing that security and development must go hand in hand.
“Security cannot be separated from development. Communities that remain in darkness are more vulnerable to criminal activities,” he said.
He also raised concerns about what he described as inadequate political and administrative representation for the communities in Affa.
Amadiozonwu appealed to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to deploy officials to the area for voter registration, noting that many residents were yet to register.
He said there was a growing perception among residents that Affa had not received adequate attention whenever decisions concerning development and government interventions were being made.
He consequently appealed to Governor Mbah to ensure that the concerns of Ndi Affa receive appropriate representation and attention at the relevant levels of government.
The community also highlighted the shortage of adequate healthcare facilities, particularly those capable of responding to emergencies.
Amadiozonwu explained that residents with serious health conditions often have to travel long distances to access appropriate medical care, a situation he said could become critical during emergencies.
He therefore called on the state government to establish a functional healthcare centre in Affa, equipped to provide basic medical and emergency services.
Education was another major concern raised by the community, with residents calling for the rehabilitation and improvement of schools, better learning environments and the provision of essential educational resources.
They stressed the need to ensure that children in Affa are not disadvantaged because of their location.
Amadiozonwu further expressed concern over insecurity in several villages within the Affa community, saying the situation had negatively affected farming activities and the livelihoods of residents.
He also raised concerns over reported cases of sexual violence against women in some areas and called for sustained government intervention to protect residents, secure rural communities and restore confidence among the people.
The community emphasised that its demands were not for special privileges, but for basic development, effective security, adequate representation and the opportunity for residents to live and prosper safely in their ancestral communities.
