Agulu to construct multi-million naira palace

The Agulu community in Anaocha local government area of Anambra state has expressed its determination to raise the status of their traditional institution by resolving to construct a multi-million naira palace for its traditional ruler.

The president-general of Agu People’s Union (APU), Chief Andy Anene Oraekwelu, told the Daily Times in an interview that the project, called Agulu Central Palace, when completed will have a podium, play ground, the inner palace or Obi, bush bar, VIP stand, conference hall, recreational centre, amusement section, and an apartment among others.

He said the first phase of the project, which is podium, will gulp about N20million, stressing that the ground has already been cleared with the free-will donation of N5million from a public spirited individual.

The second phase, he said, will be the fencing of the 400 plots of land which they had already acquired and cleared. He frowned at some Presidents-General who fight their traditional ruler saying it negates the development of such community, stressing that in their own case, they are loyal to their royal father.

“It is unfortunate to allow personality clash or unnecessary squabble between the traditional ruler and the PG to affect the development of a community. In our case we are loyal to our traditional ruler. He is our father. We are his sons.”

Orakwelu, who was elected in January this year, said he, with his executive, has been able to achieve a lot within so short a period of time.

He said the N20 million abattoir community project of the state governor, Chief Willie Obiano in Agulu, has since been completed and the they are in the second phase of the project.

He lauded Governor Obiano for his interest in Agulu, saying that he has just reactivated a cottage industry for the processing of palm oil which is now ready for the official commissioning.

He said that apart from signing Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) for Agulu Lake Resort, the governor had to bend over backwards to give the community five percent of the profit after tax when completed and become operational.

He said in addition, 70 and 30 percent jobs for junior and senior staff respectively will go to Ajulu people when the Resort takes off.

“In spite of what many think we have, we still need more infrastructures. You know Agulu with 20 villages has big population. So we need more developmental projects to go round the villages,” Chief Oraekwulu said.

Alphonsus Nweze, Awka