…Okays N20,000 fine for defaulters
Oko People’s Congress, OPC, yesterday ratifies the decision of the National Executive Committee, NEC of the Oko People’s Union, OPU directing every household in the Oko to dig catchment pits within the compound so as to check the devastating effect of erosion and recent landslide which occurred in the community.
NEC had earlier in its meeting in December slated January 31, 2023 as deadline for every house owner in Oko community to dig catchment pit in his or her compound noting that enforcement team would begin routine visit to households to check compliance beginning from February 1, 2023. Although NEC stipulated that defaulters would be penalized but failed to mention in concrete terms what the penalty would be.
However, in the OPC which held at the Oko Civic Centre presided over by the President General, Mr. Amaechi Okoli, the congress ratified the decision and okayed a fine of twenty thousand naira (N20,000) for defaulters. The congress agreed that on the visit, the enforcement team would inspect the compound and map out where the catchment pit would be sited and order the defaulter to dig it within a given period after which if he failed to comply, the team would dig the pit by themselves and the defaulter would pay for the labour and another fine.
It further reiterated the January 31, 2023 as the deadline for the directive to be complied with adding that enforcement would commence on February 1, 2023 as agreed by NEC.
On applications by Ubaha family of Umumkpoloka, Ifite village, Oko and Umuezeokafor family of Ezioko Village, Oko seeking to be recognized as wards having met the requirements stipulated by the Oko Community Constitution, OCC, the congress set up a six man verification Committee to verify the claims of the families and report back to the congress for further action.
The six man committee which is headed by the Vice President General, Mr. Alex Ezekugobe has Mr. Izuchukwu Okafor, Mr. Cyprian Osigwe, Mr. Ogonna Obiorah, Mr. Saint Augustine Nwadinamuo and Mr. Chukwuebuka Okoli as members.
During the congress, the Assistant Secretary, Mr. Mmaduabuchi Ezenwizugbe informed the congress that a letter was written to the Rector, Federal Polytechnic, Oko over the conversion of the Polytechnic fence and environment into a market arena urging her to take action to get rid of those traders along the school fence their presence is an eyesore as well as defacing the beauty of the Polytechnic as a citadel of learning.
While reporting that they were yet to receive any response from the Rector in relation to the letter, the congress directed that a follow up letter should be written if no response was received from her by the second week of January, 2023 and copied to the Director, Physical Planning and Director, Works Directorates.
The Committee set up by the NEC to liaise with another Committee set up by the traditional ruler of Oko, Igwe Prof. Laz Ekwueme in the Eke Oko land dispute could not give it’s report as the Chairman of the committee, Mr. Emmanuel Nwajiaku who asked for permission to be late to the meeting could not arrive the meeting venue before the close of the meeting.
Other issues such as the Community Secondary School, Oko land dispute, security matters, 2023 general elections, 2023 National Population Census among others were equally discussed at the congress which was attended by the village and branch Chairmen, Ward Chairmen and secretaries as well as the leadership of the youth wing.
Photo: Mr. Mmaduabuchi Ezenwizugbe, Assistant Secretary, Mr. Anyiam Marcel, Secretary General, Mr. Amaechi Okoli, President General and Mr. Alex Ezekugobe, Vice President General during the Oko People’s Congress, OPC held at Oko Civic Centre, Oko yesterday.
Send your press invite, news, press releases/articles to augustinenwadinamuo@yahoo.com. Also, follow us on Twitter @PrimetimeRepor1 and on Facebook on facebook.com/primetimereporters or call the editor on 07030661526.
