No fewer than 700 communities in various local government areas of Enugu State have pushed for autonomous status from their mother communities by the state government.

This was disclosed by the chairman of the Committee for the Creation of Autonomous Communities in Enugu State, Prof. Felix Asogwa, at Iwollo where the committee went to verify over 30 proposed autonomous communities in Ezeagu North and West Development Centres in Ezeagu local government area of the state, to ascertain the authenticity of the applications from them.

Asogwa disclosed that Governor Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi set up the committee because of his belief that creating new communities would engender peace and development across the state, adding that Ugwuanyi is of the belief that creating new communities would help many communities to have a say in government, the Nation reports.

“Governor Ugwuanyi is concerned that many people are desirous of new autonomous communities. He is of the belief that if different communities pursue this in unity and peace, it will engender peace and development.

“The governor also believes that creating new communities would help many communities to have a say in government. These are the reasons he created us. That’s why we called for applications.

“So far, over 700 communities have applied. It shows that many are desirous of peace and development.

“However, we found out that few people did the applications on behalf of others. But we know that communities are not owned by a few people. That’s why we’re here for verifications,” Asogwa said.