Obiagu, a slum located at the heart of the Enugu Capital City has over the years resisted development.
The fear of displacement of the landlords and thousands of its residents has kept the area at the back sit of development.
Consequently, the overpopulated slum has refused to grow beyond what it has been in decades.
Today things appear to be changing; and for the first time the Ogui Nike Community, owners of Obiagu, came together and gave approval for the establishment of a filling station.
To prove doubting Thomases wrong, leaders and members of Ogui-Nike communities, including the urban residents in Enugu North local government area of Enugu state decided to come together in a town hall meeting.
The essence was to show their genuine desire for development and show public approval for the construction of a filling station in Obiagu, the first of its kind.
The investors were also present at the meeting which held at the site of the proposed filling station and the interaction was progressively positive. Openly, the community announced their approval describing it as the beginning of good things in the slum.
The site of the proposed filling station is along Obiagu road, by cabinet bus stop, Ogui New Layout, Enugu.
In his speech, one of the Ogui-Nike cabinet members, Chief Ejike Nwankwo Anih said that they had the mandate of the community to explain to the general public that the community has consented to the construction of the filling station in the community.
Nwankwo Anih said that the Ogui-Nike community was in good rapport with the government of Enugu state, hence their consensus that the investment should be cited in the community.
“The developer has assured us that he will give 60 percent of the employment opportunity to our community, and that he will also give 10 percent of the work force to the community residents and that is why we are pleading with the state government to please allow the investment so that our youths can gain employment and that is why we are pleading with the state government to approve the investment,” Nwankwo Ani said.
Prime Minister of Ogui-Nike community, Chief Monday Ayogu said that the investment was a good thing for the community, the Ogui residents and the state. He pleaded for the support of everyone in construction of the filling station and prayed for the investor’s completion of the project.
Chief Anayo Ugwu of Ogui-Nike said that the project was a good idea for progress, stating that it will create jobs in the community.
“We are happy with the project; we give reverence to the investor and special appreciation to the Governor of Enugu state, Rt. Hon. Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi who is giving us support,” Ugwu said.
Another prominent leader of Ogui-Nike community, Chief Clifford Agbo said that they have severally prayed for the success of the investor and the investment. He disclosed that they had met with the state Governor over the matter where they assured him of their support to the project.
“The investor has already commenced remedial of the drainage beside the site and we are satisfied with his approach to the investment,” Agbo said.
A woman leader in Ogui Township, Lady Vera Okeke said: “We are so happy that this project was conceived to alleviate our plight of going far places to buy fuel, Gas and Kerosene. It’s a creative project. We’ve been suffering, going about, transporting to look for these products but after this construction, it will become closer to us and I am sure the station will be protected against hazards and I am also sure that the investor has met all the required conditions for construction of the filling station,” Okeke said.
Responding, Chairman of Chritin Petroleum limited, Ogbuefi Christian Obi said that the company will ensure that the filling station meets international best practices.
“We are promising you that the station will be the best of its kind in Enugu. We will ensure compliance to all standards and employment of the Ogui residents,” Obi said.
The people were elated; they celebrated and expressed joy that a new Obiagu is in the making.
