The Chairman of Obio/Akpor Local Government Area, Hon. Dr. Gift Worlu, has embarked on a comprehensive facility tour across various communities within the council area to conduct an on-the-spot assessment of critical infrastructure and service delivery points.The inspection, carried out on Tuesday, covered key government-owned facilities including the Ozuoba Police Station and Health Centre, where the Chairman inspected the ongoing renovation of the Divisional Police Officer’s (DPO) quarters — a project currently being executed by the council.
Hon. Dr. Worlu and his team also visited the Rumuodumaya and Rumuigbo Health Centres, as well as the canal and drainage system in Rumuigbo, which have been major causes of flooding in the area during the rainy season.
Other facilities inspected included the Obio/Akpor International Market, Rumuokoro Market, and Motor Parks, as well as several illegal structures in Ozuoba, which the Chairman ordered to be removed immediately.
At the Choba Market and Slaughter, the Council Boss expressed displeasure over the poor sanitary conditions and the lack of revenue remittance to the council by the operators. He emphasised the need for improved hygiene and proper waste management, stressing that markets must maintain cleanliness to ensure public health and safety.
The inspection team also visited the Community Secondary School, Choba, and the Community Primary Schools UBE 1 & 2, Choba, where Hon. Dr. Worlu decried the level of infrastructural decay and poor learning conditions.
The tour further extended to the Obio/Akpor Fish Farm and Council Farmland in Rumukini, both of which are owned by the council.
Speaking with journalists after the exercise, the Chairman said the tour was part of his administration’s efforts to see firsthand the condition of government facilities and identify areas in urgent need of attention.
“We decided, as a council — myself, the management team, and other stakeholders — to go round today to see some of our facilities. We have visited health centres, schools, farms, abattoirs, and markets. I’m both happy and sad. Happy because we’ve come to see firsthand the realities on the ground, but sad because the level of decay is alarming. The gap is huge, and there’s a lot of work to be done,” he stated.
Hon. Dr. Worlu expressed optimism that the council would take strategic steps to address the challenges despite financial constraints.
“Now that we’ve seen the problems, it’s for us to go back and plan on how to fix them. No matter how big these problems are, they’re not beyond us. We can start from somewhere — even if it’s just clearing bushes and improving sanitation, that would be a step in the right direction,” he added.
The Council Chairman emphasised the importance of community participation, calling on residents to take ownership of public facilities within their areas.
“Communities are not taking ownership of government facilities in their domains. Our schools, for instance, must be conducive to learning, and children must learn hygiene and cleanliness from a young age. If they grow up in unkempt environments, they will believe that is the standard,” he cautioned.
He further pledged to escalate the findings of the tour to the Rivers State Government and relevant agencies for necessary intervention, reiterating his administration’s resolve to ensure functional, clean, and sustainable infrastructure across the LGA.
Hon. Dr. Gift Worlu reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to restoring the integrity of public infrastructure and improving the welfare of residents across Obio/Akpor.
“We will continue to move around our facilities, monitor progress, and take deliberate actions to make things better. Obio/Akpor must work again,” he declared.
The Chairman was accompanied on the inspection by the Vice Chairman of Obio/Akpor LGA, Dr. (Mrs.) Joyce Nyeche; Leader of the Obio/Akpor Legislative Council, Rt. Hon. Rex-Milia Abuchi Amadi; Head of Local Government Administration, Mr. Sunny Adibe; Head of Personnel Management, Mr. Tamuno-Imama Worsley; and Director of Works, Dr. (Mrs.) Belema Bobmanual.
Others in the team included the Treasurer, Mr. Alerechi Ferdinand; Director of Education, Mrs. Grace Ali; Medical Officer of Health, Dr. Babep Chiney; Deputy Leader of the Obio/Akpor Legislative Assembly, Hon. Nyekwere Chinda; Barr. Kelvin Akani and Barr. Abigail Chiolu, Council Legal Advisers; as well as Chief (Amb.) Kennedy Akaninwa, Chairman of the Obio/Akpor Environmental Sanitation Committee.
Signed:
Obio/Akpor Press Unit
October 21, 2025
