Awka South Hosts Stakeholders’ Meeting on Development, Security, Environmental Sustainability
AWKA — The Mayor of Awka South Local Government Area, Prince Chinedu Okafor, has hosted a strategic stakeholders’ meeting focused on grassroots development, security, environmental sanitation and sustainable community growth across Anambra Central.
The meeting, convened by the Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Matters, Barr. Vin Ifeanyi Ezeaka, brought together the Commissioner for Environment, Dr. Clem Aguiyi, Mayors from various local government areas and Presidents General of communities across the zone.
Speaking at the engagement, Ezeaka charged community leaders to embrace transparency, accountability and responsible leadership, while urging them to leverage the Public Private Community Partnership model to attract development and improve infrastructure in their communities.
He also called for the establishment of functional Environmental Health Committees in communities, stressing that effective waste management, cleanliness and environmental responsibility are essential to public health and sustainable development.
The host Mayor, Prince Chinedu Okafor, reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to working closely with Presidents General, traditional institutions and other stakeholders to address grassroots challenges, strengthen security and accelerate development in Awka South.
Okafor noted that the council has maintained a productive partnership with community leaders, describing their collaboration as critical to resolving local challenges and delivering meaningful development to residents.
On environmental sanitation, Commissioner Clem Aguiyi commended the Mayors and community leaders for supporting the state government’s declaration of a State of Emergency on Environmental Sanitation.
Aguiyi clarified that the declaration does not amount to a lockdown, but represents a renewed push for cleaner communities, improved public health and better urban management across Anambra State.
He urged Presidents General to establish active environmental committees and intensify sanitation efforts in their respective communities, warning that environmental degradation carries serious health and economic consequences.
The Commissioner also advocated the development of organised private parks for tricycle operators and other transport businesses as part of efforts to improve urban planning, traffic management and environmental standards.
The meeting also featured a celebration of the 66th birthday of Anambra State Governor, Professor Chukwuma Charles Soludo, CFR, with participants singing in his honour and reaffirming their support for the Solution Administration.
In his closing remarks, Ezeaka commended Mayor Okafor for hosting the engagement and urged other Mayors across the state to replicate similar stakeholder meetings to strengthen collaboration between local governments and community leadership.
Among those present were the Mayor of Idemili South, Amaka Obi; Mayor of Awka North, ThankGod Anago; Mayor of Anaocha, Romanus Ibekwe; and other community and government stakeholders.
The engagement reinforced a shared commitment to building safer, cleaner and more prosperous communities through stronger cooperation between government and grassroots leadership.
