The much-publicized dinner between Ayamelum stakeholders and Governor Chukwuma Charles Soludo may have been designed to project harmony and progress, but in reality it only highlighted how deeply neglected Ayamelum remains under the present administration.
While the write-up surrounding the meeting was filled with commendations and praise for the governor, the truth is that the people of Ayamelum are yet to feel the impact of government in their everyday lives. Hon. Bernard (Isienyi) has been one of the few voices boldly speaking out, reminding both the governor and the so-called stakeholders that Ayamelum has been treated as an afterthought, despite its immense contributions as the food basket of Anambra State.
Take for instance the critical issue of road infrastructure. The roads repeatedly mentioned at the meeting — Oba-Ofemili, Umerum, Omor, Umumbo-Omasi, and Aguleri-Anaku link roads — are not new projects; they are old promises recycled every election season. These roads remain deplorable, making it difficult for farmers to transport produce, raising costs, and crippling the local economy. Yet, rather than accountability, what we see is another round of assurances with little evidence of implementation.
The so-called “Ayamelum General Hospital,” celebrated at the meeting, is another example of political showmanship. While officials speak of commissioning, the reality is that healthcare in the area remains inadequate. As Hon. Bernard has rightly noted, hospitals are not built for ribbon-cutting ceremonies but to save lives — lives which continue to be lost due to lack of functional medical services.
Even in agriculture, which is the backbone of Ayamelum, the community continues to be sidelined. A generator for an irrigation project may sound like progress on paper, but in practice, farmers still face huge challenges — from lack of farm inputs to impassable roads that cut them off from markets.
The most telling part of the dinner was not the issues raised but the political pledges made. Stakeholders promising 100% votes for Governor Soludo in 2025 raises a fundamental question: what about the 100% neglect Ayamelum has endured? Once again, politics has been placed above the welfare of the people.
Hon. Bernard (Isienyi) has consistently challenged this approach, making it clear that Ayamelum people are not pawns in a political game. They deserve concrete action — good roads, working hospitals, and real agricultural support — not endless promises tied to electoral cycles. Until the state government delivers these, no amount of praise-singing or dinner receptions will hide the fact that Ayamelum has been marginalized and left behind.
