GENERAL ASSEMBLY MEETING OF JAN 1 2013

AMAANKWO OGHE GENERAL ASSEMBLY MEETING HELD ON 1ST JANUARY 2013 AT AMANKWO NDIAGU PRIMARY SCHOOL The meeting started at about 2.30pm with an opening prayer said by Chief Bonny Ozor (Onwa of Amankwo Oghe). The President General, Bonny Nwabueze Chijioke, in his opening remarks thanked everybody present for their continued struggle to forge ahead despite all the hassles. He noted that HRH Igwe C.C.Obueke has earlier informed us at the inception of his administration that the nature of our people is that the number that turned out for a purpose at the initial time will continue to decline as the time goes on. The minutes of the last General Assembly meeting of January 2012 was read by the secretary. Also the minutes of the Town Union meeting of December 2012 was read. Motion for adoption of the last General Assembly meeting was moved by Mr. Eva Ogwu seconded by Mr. Lawrence Offor. That of December 2012 was moved by Mr. Sam Ikwuezeagu also seconded by Mr. Lawrence Offor. It was realized from the minutes of the last General Assembly meeting that most of the issues discussed was not done like the revitalization of the public schools in the community to curb the dwindling number of pupils enrolment in the schools. However report from Amankwo Ndiagu was that new teachers were posted to the public school there. After deliberation on the way forward it was ruled that education committee be formed immediately to make necessary inquiry on what is required to move the schools forward. Members of the committee are: 1. The Vice President General, Mr. Innocent Okechukwu, 2. Mr. Elobuike, 3. Mr. Kennethy Aliozor 4. Mr. Samuel Ikwuezeagu. They are to report back to the house on their findings by next meeting. Road Project The P.G explained that the road project was attracted by the Deputy Senate President Distinguished Senator Ike Ekweremadu, and that it was supposed to be asphalted if money is released in the 2013 budget for the project and that he is working hard to ensure it is so. Mr. Innocent Okechwkwu said that he is not happy over the narrowing of the road at Afor Oghe entrance. In response to that the P.G said that it is still inconclusive whether the contractor will expand it more. It will be noted that the Town Union has directed the contractor handling the project to use the dimensions given to them irrespective of whose property it may be affected. The contractor said he is waiting for the Imo River Basin to direct them on what to do on that effect. Water project Another borehole has been drilled at Amnkwo Imezi by the State Government to replace the one that was blocked by the bad spirited individuals in the community. However, Government insisted that the community should pay for the casing of the borehole, which is about Three Hundred and Eighty Thousand Naira (N380, 000). The Town Union has pleaded with the Government not to wait for the money before completing the project, as the money cannot be raised immediately. Mr. Eva Ogwu suggested we approach the women of Amankwo Imezi to know if they can assist to raise the money being demanded by the Government. His suggestion was based on the fact that the women group sometime in 2009, during the leadership of late Mrs. Ngozi Ozagu, wanted to invest in the borehole project before the state Government began the project. It was agreed that we should officially communicate the women group, first of all congratulating the new leaders for their successful election and pledging to give them our full support and then discuss the issue of the bore hole to know if the have fund to assist. Mr. Innocent Okechukwu was asked to approach the women leaders on the issue. Still on water project, The Vice President, Mr. Innocent Okechukwu wanted to know why the site for the borehole at Amankwo Ndiagu was moved to another location. It was realized that the former site was in dispute and that the matter is already in court. So it is better to move to a free site to avoid the project being hindered by a possible court injunction. Electricity. The P.G said he has deployed a contractor to cost what it will take for the electrification of the remaining part of the community that has no light as was directed by the Local Government Chairman during his earlier discussion on the subject matter. He said the cost will be presented to the Local Government Chairman with an appeal for his assistant to give us light. The Igwe in council It was noted that before the present executives took over the Igwe and his cabinet were not having meeting together due to some problems between H.R.H and some of his cabinet members. It was the effort of this Town Union that reconciled them and ensures that they all meet at the palace house The Town after their first meeting in 2012 decided that there is need to install more chiefs as some wards are no longer being represented in the cabinet due to death of their chiefs. When our decision was communicated to Igwe for his approval and the way to go about it. H.R.H told us that he cannot do that, he said he will hand pick anybody or people he wants anytime he likes and make them chiefs. H.R.H actually manifested his desire when he hand picked Sir. Johnson Oguanya and Mr. Kelvin Anigbo for chieftaincy installation, without the knowledge of his cabinet members and the Town Union. This arrangement was not acceptable to the Town Union and the cabinet chiefs as it was not in line with the provisions of the constitution of Amankwo Oghe. The Town Union reacted by writing HRH demanding that he reverse his decision on the installations. HRH to ensure that he installed the two persons as chiefs went to obtain an ex-parte injunction restricting The Secretary Engr. Silas Anonmde and the Vice President, Mr. Innocent Okechukwu from doing anything further to stop him from carrying out his proposed installation program. The Town Union further petitioned the commissioner for chieftaincy matters, who then summoned a meeting between the Igwe and the stake holders, the town union and the cabinet chiefs. After hearing the wish of the community on the matter the commissioner ordered Igwe to cancel his proposed installation, since he is not carrying his people along. It was noted that the court case between Igwe and the two executive members will come up on 17th January 2013. and that about 40,000 naira will be required to settle the lawyer for the last appearance and the fort coming appearance. The case is expected to be struck out on that day as ordered by the commissioner that HRH should withdraw the matter. Invitation The P.D.P Ward chairman is inviting us to attend the closing year party being organized by the PDP ward leader Hon. Obrien Ofordu at his resident in Akama. Some Town Union members who are PDP members complained to the ward chairman that that they do not have PDP membership cards. The chairman, Mr. Samuel Ikwezeagu, collected their names and promised to make their cards available. Motion for adjournment was moved by Eva Ogwu seconded by Lawrence Ofor. The meeting was adjourned by 4.30pm closing prayer was said by Lawrence Offor.