A former lawmaker, Sam Onuigbo, has called on community leaders and other stakeholders to take the protection of public infrastructure in their communities as their core responsibility.

He made the appeal at the August meeting of Obuohia Obi-Ibere Development Union, Women’s Wing, held at Obuohia Obi-Ibere in Ikwuano Local Government Area of Abia on Saturday.

Mr Onuigbo, who is representing South-East on the Board of North-East Development Commission (NEDC), urged the people to join hands with the government to jealously guard public infrastructure in their domain against vandalism.

The former representative for Ikwuano/Umuahia North/Umuahia South Federal Constituency of Abia, expressed concern that some projects he attracted to his community and others were being threatened by vandals.

Onuigbo, the chairman committee on security, climate change and special interventions in NEDC, appealed to the youths who indulge in acts of vandalism to desist from them.

His appeal was in response to the concern raised by the women’s national president, Chinyere Sam-Onuigbo, in her speech at the annual event.

She had raised the alarm over the incessant cases of vandalism in the community, citing the continued destruction and stealing of equipment from the public hospital and school in the area.

She said that the August meeting is not a political rally but an avenue for grassroots women to collectively plan and strategise for the growth of their community.

According to her, this year’s theme, “Let us rise and build according to God’s pattern,” references the need for us to continue to be critical support systems for growth in our society.

Mrs Sam-Onuigbo charged the women with channelling their efforts into building a strong and virile society after the instructions of God.

She appealed for support from well-meaning indigenes to activate the agro-processing plant located in the community, which, according to her, is the largest in the South-East.

The event featured a march-past, a fashion parade, drama, a cultural dance, a novelty football match, and a needle-and-thread race, amongst other highlights.

(NAN)