The Chairman of Oshimili South Local Government Area, Dr. Kelvin Ezenyili, has signed the council’s 2026 Appropriation Bill into law, declaring that implementation of key programmes and infrastructure projects will commence immediately to accelerate development across the area.
Dr. Ezenyili made this known on Tuesday at the Executive Complex of the Council Secretariat in Asaba when he received the leadership of the legislative arm for the passage of the budget.
Describing the new fiscal plan as a roadmap for delivering people-oriented projects, the chairman said the council would waste no time in activating programmes captured in the budget.
“Today, the 3rd of March 2026, we have just signed the 2026 budget into law and we are going to immediately hit the ground running with the programmes and construction projects captured in the budget,” he said.
The council boss stressed the importance of collaboration between the executive and legislative arms, particularly in the execution of constituency projects that directly impact communities across the wards.
He advised the lawmakers to set up a monitoring committee that would move around their respective wards to identify priority needs and supervise constituency projects from start to completion.
“I think for this year’s constituency projects, the leader and other officers should be able to set up a committee that will move around the various wards you represent to see what is needed and supervise those projects until they are ready for commissioning,” Ezenyili stated.
According to him, the approach would ensure that development projects reflect the real needs of residents and strengthen the bond between elected representatives and their constituents.
“We must be able at this point in time to give our electorate a high level of sense of belonging. They have given us the mandate to represent them, and we must make that representation meaningful,” he added.
Among the priority projects outlined for early execution is the furnishing of the council’s administrative complex and the rehabilitation of the council back road, which the chairman described as a critical route that has generated numerous complaints from residents and road users.
“We have received a lot of complaints about the council back road. It has forced many people to access the council through the highway, which is not always safe. It is a vital road and we will commence work on it immediately so that before the rains become intense, substantial progress would have been achieved,” he said.
Ezenyili also called on property owners along the road corridor to cooperate with the council by adjusting any extensions or structures that fall outside approved building limits to avoid disputes during construction.
“We must discuss with neighbours along the road so they can adjust any extensions or perimeters of their houses in line with approved boundaries by the state and local government, so that when construction begins nobody will complain that their property was affected,” he explained.
The chairman further commended the legislative arm for its diligence and swift action in passing the appropriation bill, assuring them that the executive would justify the confidence reposed in it.
“I want to commend the legislative arm for the capacity, diligence and fast-track process you gave this budget. I assure you that the executive will not do anything to disappoint the trust you have placed in us,” he said.
He expressed optimism that by the end of the fiscal year, the council would be able to review the budget’s performance and demonstrate tangible results in infrastructure and service delivery.
Dr. Ezenyili, who has championed several grassroots development initiatives in the council; including empowerment programmes and community projects, reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to inclusive governance and sustainable development for residents of Oshimili South.
