By Chijioke Oye, Correspondent – Asaba
A biblical adage says, “When the righteous are in authority, the people rejoice.” This resonates deeply with the people of Aniocha North Local Government Area in Delta State, who today are witnessing unprecedented infrastructural development under the leadership of their Council Chairman, Hon. Emma Chinye.
Hon. Chinye’s emergence as Chairman marked a turning point in local governance. Unlike previous administrations that struggled to deliver tangible dividends of democracy, Chinye’s tenure has been defined by purposeful planning, transparent leadership, and a passion for grassroots development. In less than a year, his administration has transformed Aniocha North into what many now describe as a “construction site.”
Working in alignment with the MORE agenda of Delta State Governor Rt. Hon. Sheriff Oborevwori, Hon. Chinye has amplified state-level efforts to improve rural infrastructure and quality of life. Together, they have brought real development to communities that for years remained on the margins.
One of Chinye’s first initiatives was the renovation, re-roofing, and full furnishing of the dilapidated executive chambers—creating a functional environment for governance. From there, his administration took off with the rehabilitation of key roads, notably the Issele-Uku metropolis road linking to the Lagos/Asaba expressway.
In a rare example of public-private collaboration, Chinye partnered with Rainoil Plc to beautify the entrance gateways of Issele-Uku, Onicha-Ugbo, and Issele-Azagba—an initiative that underscored his belief that governance is a shared responsibility.
Chinye also launched a youth empowerment drive by appointing over 200 young people into various roles within the council. This initiative not only fostered human capital development but also created a participatory model of governance.
To enhance service delivery, all council offices were equipped with new televisions and air-conditioners, while additional job roles were created within the executive block. The council complex itself received a facelift, including landscaping, daily cleaning, fumigation, and a long-neglected reconnection to the national electricity grid.
In a major leap toward market development, Chinye began construction of an ultra-modern market aimed at transforming Afor Market into a daily trading hub. He also supported the completion of the NULGE event center and built new office blocks to accommodate more statutory departments.
At the legislative level, a new ultra-modern legislative building has been constructed, along with a dedicated revenue court, 20 lock-up shops, and modern toilet facilities at the Issele-Mkpitime Market.
The Chairman’s commitment to education and sanitation is evident in multiple projects: a block of three toilets was built at Iyi-Ogbe Primary School, and similar efforts were undertaken at Ugba Primary School in Onicha-Olona. Renovations were carried out on classrooms, perimeter fencing, and entrance gates across several schools.
Community centers were not left out. The Idumu-Ogo town hall was remodelled, and reconstruction began at the Eke Market in Obior. Security fencing was added to the Primary Health Care Center in Issele-Mkpitime, enhancing both healthcare delivery and community safety.
In addressing water scarcity, Chinye facilitated the drilling of industrial boreholes at Ugba Primary School, supplying water to nearby institutions including health centers and schools in Onicha-Olona. New borehole projects are also ongoing in Issele-Azagba and Ubulubu communities.
Healthcare infrastructure received a boost with the construction of new toilet and bathroom facilities at the Olona health center. Social welfare was also prioritized—over 500 widows benefited from food items and clothing during the festive season, while children received school bags, books, and cash gifts during a community Christmas party hosted by the Chairman’s wife, Mrs. Tina Chinye.
On the security front, Hon. Chinye initiated dialogue with Fulani herdsmen to address the recurring security challenges in the area. The roundtable discussions aimed to establish sustainable strategies to curb communal tension and maintain peace in Aniocha North.
In sum, the tenure of Hon. Emma Chinye stands as a model of progressive, inclusive, and impactful local governance. As his administration continues, expectations remain high—but for now, the people of Aniocha North are indeed rejoicing.
