Youths and key stakeholders in Alesa Community in Eleme Local Government Area of Rivers State have endorsed a peace model unveiled by the Mayor of Housing, My-ACE China.

The stakeholders also conferred the award of ‘Hero of Alesa Development’ on My-ACE China in recognition of his country-wide development efforts.

They gave this endorsement during the unveiling of the Alesa Vigilante Group, which is to secure the area and attract investors, on Saturday, December 30, 2023 in Alesa Community.

One of them, who is a prominent leader in the community, labour leader in the oil industry and entrepreneur, High Chief Sunny Nkpe described what the Mayor of Housing is doing as “unprecedented in Alesa”, saying that the model would help to build lasting relationship between investors and host communities.

Observing that he did not take the information about what the Mayor of Housing was doing seriously until he saw things by himself, High Chief Nkpe urged the youths and the vigilante unit to work hard to justify the objectives of the initiative.

The second in command to the Oneh Eh Eta XI of Alesa Clan, Mene Obarike White, who is also the spokesman and staff bearer of the Oneh Eh Eta stool, urged other companies to adopt the model in order to usher in a new era of peace and stability in their host communities.

“My impression is, when you come in the name of developing us and you are taking from us for your benefit, it doesn’t make any impact. You buy from me N2million and you will sell N7 million, just for you to make the money and go away. That is not good.”

“The Mayor of Housing has come to stay and that is the proper thing and this kingdom is behind him.”

In his remarks, the Chairman of the Board of Trustees of the Alesa Highlands Aboriginal Land Owners, Emmanuel Olaka observed that this is the first time Alesa people are receiving such gesture from a company that is coming into their community.

“I want to use this opportunity to let other investors know that this is a community that is ready to work with companies for peace and stability. Mayor of Housing is not coming to buy and sell land, but is coming to develop the place for us.

Also speaking, the President General of the Alesa Youth Association, Nwafor Ndiwator expressed satisfaction with the donations made by My-ACE China, regretting that despite having huge presence of companies, the community was yet to witness the kind of benefits the real estate guru has brought to it.

“I’m very happy today because for a long time, I have not seen this kind of thing in my community. We have over 10 companies operating in Alesa area but we did not see this.”

“I thank the Mayor of housing for this opportunity given to our youths by donating these gadgets especially mobile radio units for security purposes.”

Speaking on the model, China said it is development-oriented and anchored on peace, security, and inclusive equity, explaining that it entails that corporate entities coming to invest in the community become corporate citizens of the host community.

He further explained that these entities would demonstrate their corporate citizenship by creating a blueprint for peace, security, and social development of the area, which prioritizes the interest and equity of the community with clear path of realisation of the set goals at every milestone.

According to him, the development model would ensure a seamless partnership between the real estate group and the host community ahead of the upcoming Alesa Highlands Sustainable Smart City Project.

On the award conferred on him by the Alesa Community, the Mayor of Housing described it as the most important award he has received, informing that the Alesa estate project will be directly curated by him unlike others before now which were done with other brands.

Dances and carnival processions took place all around Alesa to mark their good fortunes at the end of the year just as the community indicated that the award conferred on the Mayor of Housing is sign of being assimilated into the Alesa community social structure.