The council secretariat of Ohafia Local Government Area located at Ebem Ohafia, was the cynosure of all eyes in its hey days. It determined the fate of many sons and daughters of the local government area, while many depended on the people who worked there for their daily bread. But now, the council secretariat is a shadow of itself-dilapidated, abandoned, denied proper and modern facilities and rotting away in majesty, The Whisperer can authoritatively report.
Sadly, the secretariat, housing a good number of offices has since been overtaken by rodents, trees, medium and short grasses.
This development has led to the abandonment of offices by council workers who are said to be operating from different villages even as they are enough structures to accommodate them.
The Whisperer observed that most of the offices have been taken over by weeds and even hoodlums— especially the council administrative block, traditional rulers’ council and political block.
https://youtu.be/dQ7SPPmpjAY?si=jn1ZceYIUwpUojG0
For a first-time visitor to the area, it would be difficult to tag the area a council secretariat as it is obscured by a series of stalls and kiosks built close to the drainage, by the fence.
The first impression that comes to mind on getting to the place is that of a fast-expanding local farm meant to serve the immediate needs of those living close by.
https://youtu.be/VChcRGTFkM8?si=kU3SiZD9-HS4bRtn
The Whisperer investigations showed that since 2010, the secretariat has been abandoned with little or no attention from successive chairmen — both elected and those appointed by the state government.
https://youtu.be/ETJ3RP6VT6s?si=pk-tReEsZFpivu2T
A resident of Ebem Ohafia, Mr. Ukpai Kalu in a chat with The Whisperer said: This place has been abandoned since Orji Uzor Kalu left as the governor of Abia state. We last experienced development during the tenure of Barr. Emeka Kalu. Others came and did nothing. We thank God for Governor Alex Otti and the appointment of Chief David OgbaOnuoha (Bourdex). We have faith in the leadership capacity of Bourdex and we are hopeful he is going to renovate here abd restore its glory.”
A community leader from Ohafia, Mrs Ezinne Uduma frowned at the abandonment of the secretariat, saying: “It is embarrassing seeing Ohafia local government secretariat looking the way it is today. I am pleading with the incoming leadership of Ohafia local government area to immediately demolish those stalls at the fence complex, while embarking on total rehabilitation.”
The Whisperer could not reach the Transition Committee Chairman of Ohafia Local Government Area, Chief Bourdex Ogba Onuoha for comments.
