Sir Allwell Ihunda’s One year in office achievements (Second tenure)

A Year In Office: Sir Allwell Ihunda’s Results-Driven Impact In Port Harcourt City LGA

* How the Port Harcourt Mayor’s Second Tenure Is Taking Shape Through Infrastructure, Healthcare, Empowerment and Urban Renewal

✍️ Chidiebele Okoye Stephens.

One year into his second tenure, the Mayor of Port Harcourt City Local Government Area, Sir (Hon.) Allwell Ihunda, DSSRS, JP, is pursuing a governance agenda that combines physical infrastructure with social intervention, healthcare delivery, women and youth empowerment, education, environmental sanitation and institutional development.

Ihunda, who was sworn in for his second tenure on September 1, 2025, following his victory in the August 30, 2025, Rivers State local government elections.

The swearing-in ceremony, held at Government House, Port Harcourt, was conducted by the then Rivers State Administrator, Vice Admiral Ibok-Ete Ibas (rtd.), alongside other elected local government chairmen.

A year into the second tenure, the administration’s interventions have increasingly focused on programmes with direct impact for residents, from road rehabilitation and flood control to free healthcare, economic empowerment and skills development.

15 Key Projects and Interventions In One Year:

* Free Medical Care For Thousands Of Residents:
Healthcare has emerged as one of the major social interventions of the second tenure.

Between April 21 and April 24, 2026, the administration organised a four-day free medical outreach offering general medical services, dental care, surgical care, medical counselling, rehabilitation, laboratory services, drug administration and ophthalmology/eye care.

More than 3,000 residents benefited from the programme.

Dez Mayorz News gathered that 60 successful surgical operations had been carried out, 102 patients were recommended for eye surgeries, while more than 700 pairs of eyeglasses had been distributed free of charge.

Drugs were also distributed to beneficiaries.

The Mayor is further planning a free medical and surgical mission in partnership with Ogbakor Ikwerre USA/Canada (OIUSA), which is expected to provide specialised medical and surgical services at no cost to beneficiaries.

* Official Vehicles For Key Council Officials:
The administration presented official vehicles to the Deputy Mayor, Leader of the Legislative Assembly, 20 ward councillors, Council Secretary, Chief of Staff and Chief Security Officer.

The move was aimed at improving mobility and enabling elected and appointed officials to perform their responsibilities more effectively across the 20 wards.

* ₦50 Million Women Economic Empowerment Programme:
Five hundred women entrepreneurs across the 20 wards received ₦100,000 each, representing a total intervention of ₦50 million.

The programme was designed to strengthen women-owned small businesses, increase household income, reduce economic vulnerability and encourage greater economic participation by women.

* Rehabilitation Of Okija Street, Diobu And Eagle Island Roads:
The council embarked on comprehensive maintenance and rehabilitation works on Okija Street in Diobu and roads around Eagle Island.

The interventions are expected to improve vehicular and pedestrian movement, support economic activities and address some of the difficulties associated with deteriorating road surfaces.

* Renovation Of Public Primary Schools:
The administration commenced renovation of dilapidated public primary schools, including Township Model Primary School, Moscow Road, and State School, Elekahia (UBE Primary School).

The projects are aimed at creating safer and more conducive learning environments while restoring damaged facilities.

* Renovation And Furnishing Of The Mayor’s Lodge:
The Mayor’s Lodge underwent renovation to restore its functionality, safety and structural integrity.

The project also forms part of efforts to maintain public assets under the local government.

* Flood Control And Drainage Intervention:
The administration launched targeted flood-control interventions along the Elekahia–Rumukalagbor Link Road and adjoining streets, while additional mitigation works were undertaken in Amadi-Ama and other flood-prone communities.

The objective is to reduce the impact of flooding on residents, businesses and property during the rainy season.

* “Operation Keep Port Harcourt Clean, Green And Beautiful”:
The Mayor introduced an intensified citywide sanitation campaign tagged “Operation Keep Port Harcourt Clean, Green and Beautiful.”

The initiative covers regular environmental sanitation exercises, cleaning of flyovers and under-flyovers, removal of refuse and illegal dumpsites, and other urban-cleaning activities.

The administration says the campaign is intended to improve public health while restoring the city’s appearance.

* Capacity Building For Councillors And Media Practitioners:
The council organised capacity-building programmes for elected councillors to improve legislative effectiveness and governance delivery.

Members of the Port Harcourt media organisation also received training aimed at strengthening responsible reporting, public information dissemination and government-media relations.

* Regular Procurement And Maintenance Of Council Offices And Environment:
Regular procurement and maintenance of the council offices, buildings and the council environment, making the council look very good and serene all the time.

* Inclusive Governance And Workers’ Welfare:
Beyond physical projects, the administration pursued inclusive appointments while prioritising the welfare of local government workers.

The approach is aimed at improving staff morale, productivity and institutional stability while ensuring broader participation in governance.

* Skills Acquisition And Economic Empowerment:
The administration has commenced preparations for the fourth batch of the Sir Allwell Ihunda Skills Acquisition Programme, building on previous rounds that have produced more than 1,300 beneficiaries.

Previous beneficiaries have received vocational training and starter packs intended to help them establish businesses and achieve greater economic independence.

* Tertiary Education Grant Scheme:
The administration also launched a Port Harcourt City tertiary institutions educational grant scheme for undergraduate and postgraduate students.

The programme is expected to provide additional support to students from the local government and expand the administration’s investment in education.

* Installation Of Solar Street Lights In Ogbun-na-Abali Community (Ongoing).

* Desilting And Rehabilitation Of Rumukalagbor/Elekahia Bypass Road.

* Comprehensive Desilting Of Sangana Street Axis In Port Harcourt.

* Support For St. Paul Cathedral, Anglican Church, To Construct A Modernised Car Park On The Church Premises:

From Projects To People:
The Ihunda’s second tenure is one in which physical development and social intervention are being pursued side by side.
Road maintenance, drainage and sanitation projects are being combined with free healthcare, women’s empowerment, skills acquisition, education initiatives and workers’ welfare.

While still maintaining the political strength of his party, the Mayor strengthened political organisation within Port Harcourt City, helping maintain the unity of the Rainbow Coalition in PHALGA and supporting the emergence of Rainbow Coalition candidates across the local government.

The Mayor’s previous tenure had already established a record of youth and skills-development interventions.

With additional programmes already in preparation, the first year of Ihunda’s second tenure provides an early indication of an administration seeking to build its legacy around service delivery, empowerment, compassion, urban renewal and inclusive governance.

More to come.

Click the link below for the Mayor’s first tenure projects: